Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of New Digamber Jinmandir at the Ashram View Photos With the blessings of Jineshwar Bhagwan and Shrimad Rajchandraji and in the pious presence of Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, the foundation stone laying ceremony of a new Digambar Jinmandir took place at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur on Saturday, 2 September, 2023. The ancient scriptures emphasise the importance of a foundation stone laying ceremony in the creation of a new Jinmandir. It signifies the establishment of a space that will serve as an instrument for thousands of seekers to begin and augment their inner quest. The Digambar Jinmandir will feature Shri Chandraprabhu Bhagwan as the principal deity along with Shri Padmaprabhu Bhagwan and Shri Vasupujya Swami. The ceremony began with a felicitous paath-pujan performed by laabharthis. As part of a sacred ritual, Pujya Gurudevshri consecrated the auspicious kalash and the citation letter. He then consecrated the Nandavart stone and the remaining eight sacred stones with jal-abhishek and swastik. The eight stones signify eight characteristics of Siddhas – the emancipated souls; infinite faith, infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite power, fineness, inter-penetrability, formlessness and infinite bliss. Thereafter, Pujya Gurudevshri sanctified the foundation site with His revered hands. And finally, amidst sacred mantra chanting and hailing the holy name of the Lord, He did the sthapna of Nandavart stone, the citation letter and the kalash. Consecration of three quartz stones, each signifying right knowledge, right perception and right conduct was also done. The laabharthis did sthapna of the other eight stones. Pujya Gurudevshri then offered Naivedya to Arihant Bhagwan and to Param Krupalu Dev. At the end of the ceremony, Pujya Gurudevshri proceeded towards the Atmarpit Nivas Gurumandir and placed a kalash therein symbolising a resolution to instil the Lord in the new Digambar Jinmadir. The entire event was facilitated by Pandit Shri Sanjay Shastri, a renowned Vidhikar from the state of Rajasthan. Proficient in the arts of sculpture, architecture and vastu, Shri Manhar Raval, a former senior scientist at ISRO, was chosen and blessed to be the Sompura of this new Digambar Jinmandir. He received a token of love from the revered hands of Pujya Gurudevshri. The devotees were ecstatic at the opportunity of contributing their bit to the building of the new temple. They enthusiastically carried bricks etched with the words ‘Jin’ and ‘Raj’ and placed them in the foundation site. This ceremony marked a significant step towards the grand Pratishtha Mahotsav scheduled for December 31, 2023, a day eagerly awaited with great anticipation, love and devotion.
