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THE BIG APPLE'S
feature is a large marble and precious stone model of Shi Ashtapadji Maha Tirth, and a collection of precious gemstone Tirthankaras. The vision for a new temple came from one member, who chooses to remain anonymous, but whose devotion and funding brought the temple into being. He oversaw every detail with love, good will, and patience. Over eight hundred grateful families will worship on the site.
BIG DAY:
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few drops of rain followed by brilliant sun opened the day of the procession from the temporary Jain temple to the new four story resplendent marble Jain temple on Ithaca Street. The reception of the idols (Pratimji's Nagar Pravesh) began with 2,000 colourfully dressed Jains dancing and singing hymns through the streets of Elmhurst Queens. The joyous feelings spread to the non-Indian observers lining the route and shouts of "Mahatma Gandhi" were heard by smiling Jains. Shvetambara floats transporting Mahavirswami, Digambara men in saffron with Shri Adinathji, photographs of Shrimad Rajchandra held aloft, and dancing women in lines led the way. At
Jain Centre of New York Opens in Style the head of the procession were the members of the town council, and the president and temple committee members. This temple unites all of the sects under one roof.
On Ithaca Street, the temple began as a one room 'house temple' in 1981 in a 30 by 40 foot living room. The new temple is quite a contrast with16,623 square feet of space. Three container loads of marble sent from India were installed by Polish marble craftsmen. The temple houses a Shri Mahavir Swami Temple, Shri Adinathji Temple, meditation hall with alcove for Shrimad Rajchandra, library, art gallery, computer lab, apartments for visiting scholars and the caretaker, and a Pathshala. A very special
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During the Pratistha Mahotsav Celebration (10 June through 19 June, 2005) the Jain community will install blessed idols of past Tirthankaras. Pratishtha is the name given to this holy ceremony. An absolutely essential piece of.. the ceremony is a ritual called Anjan Kriya (smearing of collyrium to the eyes of the image) then the image/ idol is made stationary at a blessed time based on a particular planetary alignment. At the time of the installation hymns will be sung, religious observances will be held. A circle will be completed with the participation of Gurudev Chitrabhanu who in the 1970s along with Gurudev ShriSushilkumarji began to unite the Jain community of the greater New York area. The centre will be happy to welcome Jains from all over the world to share their new home.
NYC ROVING REPORTERS AMY DOSHI, ANN MCCOY AND PHOTOGRAPHER VIJAY SHAH
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