Jain Digest 2015 06

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

Page 19

JAIN DIGEST
Dar es Salam Temple
With time as the community grew, it became Divas, Paryushan Maha-Parva, Diwali, Kartaki inevitable to expand the community building. Poonam etc. as well as various sports, cultural, It was decided to build a large social hall, educational programs, charity programs for the kitchen and a guest house above the kitchen needy are organized during the year which on the adjacent plot of the existing building. The brings in Sangh members for a get together to project was completed in 1970 and the opening renew their contacts. Recently, there is an influx ceremony was performed by members of Shree of more Jain family's migration in Dares Salam. Sanghvi family.
Jains of Dar es Salaam have no sect difference Arusha is located in Northern Tanzania, below and right from its inception all the Jains of the Mount Meru, near Arusha national park. different sects like Deravasi, Sthanakvasi, They have Swaminarayan and Jain temples. Digambar, Visa Oswal, Kutchi, Dasa and Visa all There are 40-50 Jain families. Jain temple is are strongly united without any distinction under located on 1.2 acre land. It has temple and hall. the banner of Shree Jain Sangh and perform They celebrate Jain festivals together. Moshi their prayers and participate in all religious has 15-20 Jain families. and social functions firmly united under one roof. This is an unique example of unity. This Mt. Meru, is a mythological holy mountain for is an example worth emulating by all the Jains the Jains, Hindus and Buddhists. elsewhere in the world. Currently, there are In Arusha, Mt. Meru is an active volcano, which about 160 Families of Jains in Dares Salaam. had last eruption in 1910. It is 14,977 feet high
and is only 70 km. from Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is only for the sake of convenience that Deravasi and Sthanakvasi tithies are used Compiled with the help of the Mr. Ketan Bhupatrai every alternate year to celebrate all the religious Shah - Hon. Gen. secretary Shree Jain sangh festivals.
of Dares Salam. In 2005, Shree Jain Sangh celebrated Diamond Jubilee (75 years) of its inception, and this auspicious occasion was celebrated with various functions like, Bhakti program, Sound and light show depicting the life of Shree Bhagawan Mahavir, Stavan Sandhya, and Shobha Yatra.
Pathshala classes are conducted on every Saturday. Also Gujarati language is taught to the children. Religious festivals celebrated by Shree Jain Sangh are: Ghana Pancham, NavPad Aayanbil Oli, Shri Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
Mount Meru
Jainism in Arusha Mahavir Swami Temple Arusha
19 I MAY-JUN 2015