Jain Heritage and Beyond

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

Page 40

All the nine families selected for the Shilanyas ceremony were seated in their allocated place near the Shilas which had been laid out earlier. Viharbhai Jitendra Malde together with his parents and grandparents took their place by the main Kumbh Shila. At precisely 7.20a.m. the chants commenced leading upto to a crescendo at 8.15a.m when the Shilas were placed in their location and cemented over. The honourable ladies from Edgware Satsang Mandal proceeded to the Shilas to sprinkle the vakshakshep and Ashokbhai Ramji Shah's family performed the Aarti. To celebrate the historic occasion, Babubhai and young Oshwals led by Sneharbhai and Ashaben let the congregation with songs and garba.
Ashokbhai & Gulabbhai Performing a Bhoomi Poojan
carried to the Mandap. The first Poojan was the Snatra Poojan and bidding was carried out for Das Dikpal Poojan (Gulabbhai) Nav Grah Poojan (Ashokbhai), Astmangal Poojan (Bhanumatiben) the sprinkling of the vashakshop provided by Maharaj Saheb (Edgware Satsang Mandal) Aarti after Shilanyas (Ashokbhai Ramji Shah Family).
A time Capsule containing a short history of the Oshwal Association and a site plan of the Derasar compound prepared with tender devotion by the members of the Deraser Committee and autographed by the 142 individuals who participated in the ceremony of Bhoomi Poojan, Khanan Vidhi and Shila Ropan, Deraser Committee members and Professional Adviors was buried near the Kurma Shila. Bidding for this privilege took place and the family of Liladhar Vardhaman Malde being the highest bidder was invited to bury the capsule in the presence of
all.
Initial Religious Ceremonies
1ST
The initial religious ceremonies that we have to carry out before starting the construction work are:
Bhoomi Poojan
This ceremony is conducted two hours after sunrise and must be completed before noon. It is carried out
to "purify" the site of the Deraser. Bhoomi Poojan is a tradition of Jainism and it an occasion for the "purification" of ones's soul. It involves a Snatra Pooja, Aarti, Mangal Divo, Shanti Kalash, and the sprinkling the ground with water used in the Snatra Poojan and with flowers, saffron etc.
Khanan Vidhi (Groundbreaking)
This ceremonhy involves the ceremonial digging of the ground to signal the commencement of the constuction work. This is preceded by poojans and followed by Aarti, Mangal Divo etc.
Shianyas Vidhi (Foundation Ceremony)
This involves the laying of NINE "Shilas" (Slabs), in the area where the Garbh Grih is sited. After the ground breaking, digging is continued until proper type of soil, sand, water and solid rock are reached. The main Sila is called the "Kurm(Tortoise) Shila" and it is above this that the image of the Mulnayak is seated. Eight other Shilas, each bearing the image of the guardian deity of the particular direction (East, West etc) are then laid. The ceremony is accompanied by poojans and followed by Aarti, Mangal Divo, Shanti Kalash etc.
deity
Bound
LetsTy
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ROJECTO
WAL
Kaushikbhai, Rakshaben & Jayubhai