Jain Digest 2015 06

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 17

JAINISM IN TANZANIA
INTRODUCTION
East Africa comprises Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, a land of incredible beauty and some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the world, including lions, giraffes, elephants, zebra and multitudes of hoofed species. Tanzania, the largest state, just south of the equator, holds awesome contrasts, ranging from the cool, semiarid highlands around Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the paradisiacal Tropicana of the coast.
THE ANCIENT DERASAR - ZANZIBAR
For many centuries, Zanzibar was a gateway of Africa. The people from India started to migrate to Africa in 18th Century and Kutchi Jain traders came to African Continent and settled in Zanzibar. Outside of India, most likely first Jain Derasar was built in Zanzibar in 1905, Island of Spices and Sweet Water. They built Jain Derasar with 3 pujniya (Pran Pratishtha) idols, Shree Pashwanath, Shree Shantinath and Shree Mahavir swami. In 1963, there were 450 Deravasi and 400 sthanakvasi Jain families living in Zanzibar.
In 1964, during the revolution in Zanzibar, all the 3 idols were sent to Nairobi Visa Oshwal Derasar (at present these idols are there).In the year
TANZANIA
UGANDA Lake Viengig Serengeti National Park Mi Meru, Mwanza (456) Mt Kilimanjaro National Park Ngorongoro Mt Kilimanjara (5892) BURUNDI Conservation Area Arusha CONGO Maymi (ZAIRE) Game Kigosi Game Reserve Kigoma Tabora Singida Ugalla River Game Reserve
Dodoma Bagamoyo
RWANDA
Lake
Tanganyika
Lake
Uwanda
Game Reserve
ZAMBIA
200 km 120 miles
Hungwa
Game
Reserve
Mbeya
JAIN DIGEST
Raha National
Lak Mel
Nairobi
Park Selou Game Njombe Reserve
Songea
KENYA
Tanga Pemba Island
Zanzibar Island Dar es Salaam
Makonde Plateau Tunduru MOZAMBIQUE
Mala
Island
INDIAN OCEAN
Mtwara
2009 Jain Sangh of Dares Salaam renovated the Zanzibar Kutchi Jain Derasar Building. Three new idols of same tirthankars Shree Parshwanath, Shree Mahavir Swami and Shree Shantinath were placed and are in the same place. It is situated on the third floor of the temple building in the Stone town area.
There are two Hindu temples located in the same building, the Shiv Shakti temple and the Arya Samaj. Mr. Umedial Hematial Mehta has been the Chairman of the Hindu Union for the last thirty years. Mr. Mehta's family is the only one or two family lives there and managing all three temples. Jain Sangh of Dar Es Salaam is taking care of upkeep of this Ancient Derasar. Every year during Easter Holidays, Sangh Members from Dar s Salaam go to Zanzibar for Dhaja/Poojan Prtistha mahotsav.
171 MAY-JUN 2015