The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Jain temple in old city joins 100-club

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 16, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Jain temple in old city joins 100-club

Staff Reporter

A grand procession was taken out to mark the celebrations at Shri Parswanath Jain temple

Photo G. Krishnaswamy

In reverence: The centenary of Sri Parswanath Temple was celebrated on Saturday. -

HYDERABAD: It was an historic day for members of Jain community in twin cities on Saturday as yet another Jain temple crossed the 100-year mark.

After the Karwan (nearly 400 years), Koti (140 years), Begum Bazar (200 years) and Tallagadda (200 years) Jain temples, it was the turn of Shri Parswanath Jain temple at Charkaman in old city to celebrate its centenary on Saturday, according to Sri Jain Sangh Trust member Mahendra Munoth.

Snaking through the narrow Gulzar Houz main road, one can visit the temple adjacent to historic Kaman (arch) on the stretch. It was built on March 15, 1908.

Though the present day high rise structures on the stretch block the outside view, interiors of the temple such as arches, statues, paintings and even a 100-year-old cash chest are very much in tact and have an aesthetic appeal.

Background

The temple houses Lord Parswanath as the main deity along with the idols of Lord Adinath, Lord Chandraprabhu, Lord Mahaveera and the Theerthankars. It was the initiative of Raghunathmal Singhji, Gokul Singh Munoth and Ramprasad and other members to construct a Jain temple with an expenditure of Rs.50,000 at Gulzar Houz, since travelling to other Jain temples in those days was a task, says Jain Youth Club Secretary Pravin Jain.

In tune with customs followed during the past 100 years, family members of Gokul Chand Ratan Chand Munoth hoisted a new flag atop the temple.

This family was bestowed with the honour, since they were the successful bidders of an auction conducted during the inaugural of the temple to hoist the flag every year on March 15, adds Mr. Pravin Jain.

As part of the centenary celebrations, the temple trust is organising three-day special rituals and on Saturday a grand procession of Lord Parswanath was taken out from Gulzar Houz via Madina and back to the temple.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh