Grand celebrations on cards as Jain temple completes 200 yrs

Over a lakh-and-a-half Jain families in the city have already savoured the sweets to celebrate 200 years of Shri Godiji Parshwanath Bhagwan Temple at Pydhonie.

From next month, they will be able to hear devotional songs by professional singers, lectures by prominent saints and participate in a grand two-km procession to celebrate the occasion.

Constructed in 1812 by Moti Shah, a wealthy Jain businessman, Godiji is among the most prominent community temples in the city. “We have already sent sweets to the families.

The 200 years will be complete on May 1, but the programmes will start from April 14,” said Surendra Savai, convenor of the celebrations.

The celebrations will include a grand lunch programme on May 1 for eight lakh Jains. “They will not have to come here, since food will be available at all the Jain temples across the city,” added Savai.

A postage stamp of Rs5 is likely to be released during the celebrations, and the temple will feature one more idol made of the Margaj stone.

The two-storeyed, all-marble structure already boasts around 86 marble idols, two crystal idols, and 76 small silver idols, among others. Named after the 23 Tirthankar of the Jains - Bhagwan Parshvanath - this idol came from a temple in Godipur, Pakistan, thus lending the word “Godiji” to the temple’s prefix.