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The new
$20-million complex replaces a much smaller temple that opened in
1988. That original building was the first independent Jain temple
in the United States. The new $20- million Jain temple complex,
celebrating a religion that promotes nonviolence and vegetarianism,
and shares with Hinduism the concepts of nirvana and reincarnation.
Brilliant white marble gives the main temple a stunning
appearance with its 24 magnificently carved semi columns and 4
circular pillars weighing 10,000 lbs each. The ceiling , a dome or
rangmandap is a breathtaking carving , 22 feet in diameter with a
first layer of 192 elephants , a second of 108 Thirthankars and
several others of exquisite designs. Three existing original
Tirthankar idols which were already in the old complex are installed
in a sparkling white Garbha Grah on the main altar with
Mahavirswami in the center, Rushabhadev on the right and
Parshvanath on the left. Two additional new idols – Mahvirswani (Anjanshalaka)
and Neminath ( Digambara tradition) are placed on two individual
altars on the right and left of the main altar respectively. A
bhamati with idols of 24 Tirthankars in individual Gokhlas surrounds
the Garbha Grah. |
The new $20-
million Jain temple complex, celebrating a religion that promotes
nonviolence and vegetarianism. The main temple a stunning appearance
with its 24 magnificently carved semi columns and 4 circular pillars
weighing 10,000 lbs each..
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