Orlando Pratishtha Mahotsav: A Long-awaited dream comes true
by Rajendra Mehta JSOCF Member & JAINA Director

August 20th through August 23rd, 2004 is historical days for the Orlando, Florida Jain Sangh. Those were the days a long awaited dream - by a small Jain community in Orlando - of having a Jain Temple/Upashray came true.

Four years of hard work, inspiration by Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, Bhatarakji Davendrakirtiji, Late Bhatarakji Charukirtiji and the last three weeks of planning, in the midst of hurricane made it possible to have successful Pratishtha Mahotsav.

The layout of the temple/upashray is non-sectarian. In the “Gabhara”, looking into Gabhara, we have two murties – on the right side Mahavir Swami, on the left side Adinath Swami. On the side of Adinath Swami, at right angle we have Navkar Mantra Shila and on the opposite side we have Simandhar Swami. Outside the Gabhara we have Gokhlas for Padmavati Devi and Ghantakaran Mahavir.

More than 400 people witnessed the glorious Pratishtha Mahotsav under guidance of Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, and Pramodaben. Participants came from India and all over US. They were hosted by Jain families of Orlando and surrounding suburbs. Inspiring discourses by Gurudev Chitrabhanuji and Pramodaben added to the blissful joy of the weekend. Vidhicar Narendrabhai Nandu and his group from India performed so well that everybody enjoyed the Devotional Ceremony which opened up the hearts of participants in Gheebolies donations from all over U.S.A.

The small Jain community of Orlando Sangh is a shining example of what a dedicated group can achieve when they work together. The property is 200X280 Ft or approximately 1.3 Acres and a building consists of a temple/upashray of 2100 Sq Ft. This is secluded and peaceful location for meditation and temple activities. Near this property in the back there is a big public park “Sanlando Park” with ample car parking space. It is a walking distance from our subject property. This park has Volleyball, Basketball court, Tennis Courts and picnic pavilions.
History:

By 1981 six families; Kishor Tolia, Keshavji Gala, Dinesh Doshi, I.C. Bhavsar, Bhupendra Shah & Praduman Zaveri had settled in Orlando area. In 1982 these families began holding monthly pooja and started teaching young kids Jain principles, Jain philosophies & Gujarati Language. The monthly poojas had two main goals; one to teach children Jain principles and two to maintain Jain ways of living. We started ‘BHAKTI & BHOJAN’. once every month. By early 1990’s Jain family’s population had grown to 40 families. Jain Society of Central Florida was officially registered as Non-profit Organization in 1994. Jain Society firmed up the basic goal of keeping all Jains together. In addition, under the presidency of Mr. Bhupendra Deliwala, with the initiation of Mr. Rajendra Mehta and Bhupendra Deliwala, Jain Society adopted a constitution in 1994. The main theme of the constitution is to promote Jain principles, continue teaching children, invite Jain Scholars from all sects of Jainism, and work towards neutralizing the differences between all sects and establish own Jain Temple/Upashray.

In 1986 when Rajendra Mehta and family moved to Orlando, he brought with him a Jain Pathshala curriculum consisting of sutras, stories, philosophy and children started learning those every month and presenting them in front of parents. Starting 1990, we started inviting scholars from India. First invited guests were Triputi Bandhu from India.

In 1997, when Shri Gurudev Chitrabhanuji came to Orlando during Paryushan Parva, he showed the great desire for a temple/upashray in Orlando and his desired was turned into the pledges for the temple in 1997. After that till 2001 nothing was done but in 2001 again the momentum of building a temple/upashray started and the 1.3 acres of property were purchased with an existing house of 2100 sq. feet under the presidency of Dr. Shashikant Shah.

Dr. Shah and his family here and his brother Hitesh Shah in India took over the big task. Mr. Rajendra Mehta and his family took an initiative of contacting many Jain Tirths and Jain temples in India for their contributions to our temple. With the help of local families of Mr. Madhubhai Sheth, Mr. Dilipbhai Shah and Mr. Gaurav Jhaveri, we contacted Shri Matunga Vasupujya Jain Sangh, Sanghs in Ahmedabad, Sri Sankheswer Jain Tirths, many Jain individual families in Bombay, Ahmedabad, Kutch and Kutch Jain Sangh, we got material donations like Bhandar, Tigdu, Pooja materials, marbles for Gabhara for our temple/upashray, We are thankful to them.

Mr. Hitesh shah took charge of getting a single piece of Makarana marble from Rajasthan and he got all the five murties and Navakar Shila made from a single piece of marble. All the murties and all other materials were stored in his house in Baroda till they were shipped here. He even stayed in India till the shipments were made to U.S.A. Thanks to him and his family for his dedicated work.

Today the Jain Society Temple / Upashray is a result of dedicated and unselfish work of Dr. Shashikant Shah & his wife Lata Shah for last four years. Also entire Jain community of JSOCF provided great support to him.

The success of the Pratistha Mahotsav has inspired us to participate in JAINA’s first senior housing complex on a nearby plot. Stay tuned for the next big thing in Orlando.