BY MAHADEV DESAI
Atlanta’s Jain Community, which practices Jainism, is a very
close knit, progressive, vibrant and well-respected
community, whose members have excelled in many fields and
have contributed significantly to Georgia’s economy as well
as to its cultural diversity. The subcontinent of India, a
cradle of civilization is also the birthplace of Jainism.
The Jain religion and its philosophy being one of the
oldest, predating recorded histories has become one of the
essential spiritual traditions of the South Asian religious
fabric. Jain Temples have been built in many parts of the
world, including the US.
The Jain community in the South East USA too decided to have
their own temple.
Jain Society of Greater Atlanta’s (JSGA) dream to build a
Spectacular Marble Derasar (Temple) with intricate designs
hand carved by some of the greatest craftsmen in Jaipur,
India is about to be realized. The project began way back in
1996, with a ritual-studded ground breaking ceremony for the
Jain Center / Derasar, with shikhar (dome), pratimajis,
auditorium, kitchen, dining hall, library, and accommodation
for visiting guests. The ceremony was performed on a 3.75
acre site at 669 South Peachtree St., Norcross, Georgia on
Sunday April 5 1996.
In the year 2000, the first phase (main floor) of the Center
was built, and in 2001 the second phase (basement) was
completed resulting in a two story building of 14,000 plus
square feet where the Society’s 400 plus Jain families could
meet for regular poojas, bhavanas, pathsala classes,
lectures and celebrations of festivals.
The Society is now ready for the third phase; the building
of the Temple. Following joint consultations between Sompura
in Ahmedabad and local architects, a beautiful design was
made and approved by the County in 2006. On auspicious
Vijaya-Dashami, the Khat-Mahurat ceremony was performed at
the Temple site in October, 2006.
The construction of the Temple began in 2007 and is
progressing very well. Sompura is working on the Shikhar,
arches, pillars and other delicate marble carvings.
Members of the 2008 Executive Committee; President Deepak
Shah, Vice-President Anil Shah, General Secretary Paresh
Shah; Treasurer Rajan Doshi,Youth-coordinator Meeta Parikh,
and committee members Kiran Shah and Madhuben Sheth briefed
the media representatives Mustafa Ajmeri,Ravi Ponangi, Ved
Bhatia, Kailash Khandelwal and Mahadev Desai,on the final
phase of construction. After a brief tour of the temple
site, Deepak Shah and Paresh Shah made a PowerPoint
presentation of the proposed construction, and estimated
expenditure of the project.
In brief, the Temple will have traditional design including
Ghabhara for pratimajis (3 Mul Nayak’s Shwetambar Pratimajis
on upper floor) and (3 Mul Nayak’s Digambar Pratimajis on
the floor below), Shikhar, Rang mandap, and Bhomati with
Murti’s of the 24 Tirthankar. The three main pratimas will
be surrounded by 24 tirthankars in a rectangular /stepped
semi circle. The marble floor will have a seating capacity
of more than 250 devotees. The project is expected to cost ₤
2.7 million. JSGA seeks to raise this amount through
generous individual and corporate sponsors, donations and
interest-free loans.
JSGA is extremely grateful to the main sponsors Quantum
National Bank. In fact, Quantum National Bank’s Chairman,
Dr.Neel Neelagaru, attended the Pooja and Media briefing
ceremony accompanied with Ms Deepa Kumari and Vinay Bose and
also made a donation. Other major sponsors so far are Patel
Brothers; MGR Palace, Nobel Investments, Raj Bhog ; Dosa
Houze, & Bhindi Jewelers’.
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