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Part IV. Rise and Glory
Oshwal Yatrik Gruh, Palitana: From as early as 1940, Halari Oshwals had been desirous of having a rest house (dharmashala) in Palitana. In 1963-1964, three Halari Oshwals, Pethraj Merag Gosrani of Kansumara, Premchand Popatlal Chandaria and his wife Punjiben of Champa Beraja had gone on pilgrimage (Navanu yatra) to Palitana. During this pilgrimage, Maganlal Popatlal (younger brother of Premchand Popatlal) went to Palitana to meet his brother, sister-in-law Punjiben and his brother-in-law, Pethraj Merag. During that visit Maganlal Popatlal died in Palitana of heart failure on December 23 1964. In March 1965, Pethraj Merag bought 5 acres of agricultural land for the rest house. The agricultural land was approved for nonagricultural use in 1968. In April 1972 the Gosrani family established a public charitable trust called Oshwal Charities, and put part of the land (25,531 square yards) under the trust. The Chandaria and Khimasia families each donated 2,50,000 rupees to the Trust. On October 18, 1972, Pethraj Merag laid the foundation stone for the yartik gruh. Punjiben Premchand Popatlal Chandaria officially opened it on July 1 1974. In 1979, a 'B' Wing was built and in 1983 a 'C' Wing, a dining hall and an assembly hall were built.
What is Navanu Yatra? The legend is that Lord Adinath, the first Tirthankar of our time went to pilgrimage to Satrunjay ninety-nine times. Since then doing a Navanu Yatra pilgrimage carries a special meaning. However a pilgrim undertaking Navanu Yatra is required to perform total of 108 pilgrimages, which must be completed in two months (60 days).
Manjuben and Navinchandra Bhagwanji Raja performed the opening ceremony of the dining hall on December 3 1989, which was furnished by a donation of 500,000 rupees by the Bhagwanji Raja family (Kansumara/Nairobi). A part of the cost for the meals provided to yatriks (pilgrims), sadhus (monks) and sadhvis (nuns), is
