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Celebrating Jain Society of Houston Pratishtha Mahotsav 1995
CONSTRUCTION OF OUR TEMPLE
The members of Houston Jain Samaj, desirous to have their own place of worship to perform religious activities per Jain Traditions, bought a hall with land 1989. The plan began soon thereafter for renovating the hall. Due to our changing needs the final plan was completed and approved in 1994. Shri Ashok Mungara, a talented architect, prepared the final design and construction drawings.
The Houston Jain Center, acting as the general contractor, managed the construction of the project with the assistance of the architect. The temple master plan was developed in keeping with the temple requirements and future expansion programs. The planning and design work was done to most satisfaction of the Jain Samaj.
The design of the temple complex included the main temple, meditation room, dining hall, kitchen, assembly hall, class rooms and administrative areas, The total area of the complex is 10,000. square feet. The design involved the separation of the temple areas from the areas activity of the Samaj. This resulted in a grand Foyer entrance connecting these two areas. The main temple hall will have a marble Gabharo, designed and fabricated in India. The temple hall flooring is marble with intricate design pattern in the middle of the hall. The walls have gokhalas carved out of marble in India. The temple functions are supported with chandan room and shower area. The dining hall and kitchen facilities are designed to accommodate serving of 250 members.
The assembly hall and class rooms were remodeled in the existing building. Due to the height restraints, the hall was cleverly designed to give the feel of a generous space with coffered ceiling of gyp board soffitts and suspended acoustical ceiling. Green rooms, storage, office space with restroom facility and a stage form the support facility of the hall. The class rooms, library and guest quarters form the rest of the facility.
Bhoomi Pujan (ground breaking) was done on April 17, 1995. The construction process did not interrupt the use of the facility and was completed in November 1994. Future expansion plans for the temple include priest's quarters, library, additional classrooms and an exterior facade of Jain architectural expressions.
Jain Education International
The Murti Pratishta ceremony, which is underway is very auspicious for the Houston Jain Samaj. The dream of having a Jain Temple has become a reality. Finally Houston has become a pilgrim center where all Jains from north America can come and worship.
Many Jain Society member dedicated significant time and effort during various phases of the project in realizing this dream come true. During final phase of building construction committee consisted of Virendra Khemsara (Chairperson), Manoj Shah and Kirti Doshi. Valuable support activity were provided by Vinod Bilakhia, Kiran Dalal, Parimal Desai, Kishor Doshi, Suresh Ghelani, Uday Jain, Dinesh Lakhia, C. V. Parikh, Bharat Shah and Mahesh Wadhawa. The completion of the temple Gabhoro is being managed by the committe headed by Kiran Dalal.
Architect/Construction Manager
Mr. Ashok Mungara
"Living luxuriously leads to more desires, which ultimately cannot be fulfilled"
(Acharya Sushil Kumar Ji)
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