Jain Heritage and Beyond

Author(s): Shailesh Shah
Publisher: Oshwal Associations of The UK

Page 38

SHREE MAHAVIR SWAMI JINALAY
AT OSHWAL CENTRE
BHOOMI POOJAN, KHANAN VIDHI, AND SHILANYAS 7 AND 14 SEPTEMBER 1997
With the blessings of our Arihant Bhagwan and under the guidance of Pujya Acharyadev Shree Jinendrasuriji and Pujya Shree Vajrasenvijayji we performed the Bhoomi Poojan and Khanan Vidhi on our Deraser on 7th September 1997 culminating with the Shilanyas on 14th September 1997. Special invitations with details of the programme were sent to all Oshwal member households and published in the Gujarat Samachar. All Jain institutions in the UK and our sister Oshwal communities worldwide were invited to join us. Messages from many were printed in the Oshwal
News of August 1997. Ashokbhai & Ashwinbhai Performing a Bhoomi Poojan
Our fund raising effort through the Marble Unit Scheme devised by Late Zaverchand Lakhamshi Haria and Ashwinbhai Dharamshi was implemented from June 1997 onwards. Harkhubhai and Mansukhbhai prepared lists of households and helped to organise teams within a short period of time. These teams of volunteers from all areas started visiting households and the message had been spread through the medium of Oshwal News. A total of two thousand two hundred and sixty three units (2,263) were taken up raising a sum of £226,300. Unit holders, to perform the ceremonies, were selected on the evening of Sunday 24th August by random selection with the aid of a special computer programme. Some selected unit holders were generously offered their selection back to the Association and these were distributed to all the Areas during Paryushan for bidding. Those who bid the highest were granted the privilege. A sum of £12,657 was raised in this manner. In addition, the rest of the unit holders were each paying a Nakro of £251 minimum for their privilege, estimated to total £36,000. Our invited guests, Late Babubhai Kadiwalla leading a team of four arrived on 28th August 1997 from India. In the evening of 29th August he gave a full explanation of Bhoomi Poojan, Khanan Vidhi, and Shila Ropan. These details were also printed in Gujarati in the Oshwal News of August 1997. On 31st August, a Siddha Chakra Poojan was conducted by Late Babubhai Kadiwalla in LV Hall, This religious service started the festival leading upto 7th September 1997 and ending on 14th September 1997. On 7th September at 7.45am Bhagwan was ceremoniously carried to the Mandap from the Ghar Deraser. Late Babubhai Kadiwalla and his party commenced the Snatra Poojan. Late Babubhai conducted the bidding for Dus Dikpal Pooja (Narenbhai Shah) Nav Grah Pooja (Late Gulabhai Shah) Asta Mangal Pooja (Kantibhai Mehta)
Committee Members 1997 He then went to conduct the poojas by Pravinbhai
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