Jain Digest 2015 06

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

Page 20

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JAIN DIGEST
Jains in Nairobi
Visa Oshwal Community - Nairobi
Introduction
This
his is an inspiring success story of the Jains from Nairobi. They went to the dark continent of Africa over a century ago. They became successful through their hard work. To preserve the traditions, religion and language they built appropriate facilities.
The Shining history of East African Oshwal
The first Oshwal arrived to the Kenyan coast in 1899. By 1905, there were 100 Jains and by 1920 number grew to 800. First Oshwal meeting in Africa was held in 1915. A dharmshala fund was set up to provide assistance for the Oshwals arriving from India. The shining history of religious progress started with the building of a "Ghar Derasar" in 1957. Three beautiful marble pratimajis were placed at the Derasar. Mul-nayak Shree Mahavirswami, Shree Aadeshvar nath on Right and Shree Shantinath on the Left
In 1968, the community decided to build a 'Shikharbandhi "derasar. In 1970, the Committee started working on this project. During that time, three Pratimajis were sent from Zanzibar, Shree Parshvanath, Shree Shantinath and Shree Mahavir swami. These were placed in Derasar in Mahajanvadi on Limuru Road. On 4th July 1971,
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when Gurudev Chitrabhanuji was visiting Nairobi, he gave plenty of encouragement and inspiration to the community with the project of building a derasar. Lots of assistance was received from the Anandaji Kalyanaji trust, India. The stone work is done from the pink sand stone of Baleshar, white sangamarmar stone and Porbandar stone.
The Pratistha ceremony of Munisuvrat Jinalaya -shikharbandhi derasar held in February, 1984 at Shree Visa Oshwal Mahajan vadi premises on Limuru road. This temple has nine idols. The Mul nayak is Shree Munisuvrat Swami, on the side, Shree Ajitnath, Shree Shreyansanath, Shree Parshvanath, Shree Shantinath, Shree Anantnath, Shree Aranath and Shree Mahavir swami. The whole area is built of priceless gems and gold.
The inner walls of the temple hold pictures of pilgrim sites and different dev, devis worshipped by Jains. After the development of the derasar, the community also built the Upashraya to have many activities like Puja, Jaap, Satsang, and Bhakti Bhavana, Pathshala for children and religious classes for the adults. At Paryushan, 900-1,000 people visit the derasar.
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