Consecration Ceremony of First Jain Murti in a temple in Australia was held today at Canberra, Australia. This was a historic event as it was the first Prathishta of a Jain Tirthankar consecration to be held in the Southern Hemisphere.

The occasion was presided by Sri Devendrakeerty Bhattaraka Mahaswamiji from Parshav Nath Jain Mutt, Hombuj, Karnataka and was performed by 21 Indras and Indranis. The Idol of Lord Supreme Bhagwan Sri Mahaveer Swamy was installed in the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre at Canberra, Australia. This event has once again reconfirmed the close bonds of unity that exists between Jains and Hindus.

The event was attended by Margaret Reid, President of the Senate (Upper house of Parliament), Jon Stanhope, Leader of the opposition, Ambassador of India, Ambassador of Sri Lanka, Ambassador of Zimbabwe, Ambassador of South Africa and various other members of Parliament. About 500 Indians from Canberra, Sydney, Newcastle and Melbourne attended the ceremonies.

A procession was held in Florey with Children leading it with flags and Jains and Hindus singing bhajans. The procession arrived at the Temple hall at 9AM when ritual abhishekam and pooja was conducted by Bhattaraka ji with 21 Indaras and Indarinis and about 10 other couples. Even though the entire expenses for the purchase and transport of the Murti were born by six Jain families, Abhishekam and Pooja was performed by any and everybody present there. One of the unique features of the ceremony was the joint pooja by 14 Jain couples and 7 Hindu couples conducted under the guidance of Bhattaraka ji. Lord was invoked in the Murti among the Jayakar of Jain Dharam Ki Jai and Jai Mahavir.

The present dignitaries congratulated Hindus and Jains on the Consecration ceremony. Margaret Reid welcomed the addition of a new fabric in the tapestry of Multi-Cultural Australia. Hon Jon Stanhope praised the importance of the non-violence in the Australian Society and sought Bhattaraka ji’s blessings to advance hormonious and peaceful co-existence. The Ambassador of Sri Lanka spoke about the similarity of teachings between Lord Bhudha and Lord Mahavira and reminded audience of the Rig Veda teaching that ‘Truth is One but sages describe it in various ways’. The ambassador of India representative explained the important influence of Jain traditions that helped Mahatama Gandhi to evolve non-violence and truth as weapons against British during the independence struggle of India.

This was followed by a number of cultural items presented by children and artists from Sydney and Canberra. A small kit about Aprigrah or lack of it among us all was presented as a comedy and was enjoyed by all. This was followed by a short discourse by Bhattaraka ji on the Jain traditions. He explained the significance of the rituals that were performed today and praised the Hindu-Jain unity as witnessed by this event. Bhattaraka ji also drew on the similarities between Hindu and Jain traditions. Bhattaraka ji's knowledge of both Hindu and jain faiths impressed everyone.

Towards the end a vote of thanks was given by Shri Surinder Jain. Surinder thanked Australian elected representatives for providing a climate of democracy within which Jains can practice their faith and assured them that all Jains and Indians in Australia will defend these Australian values with all their might and resources. He also thanked management of the Hindu temple and especially Shri Radhey Sharma for initiating the project.

Memories of the event were captured forever in a Souvenir was published with various articles written by Jains on the importance of the Jain faith to them. Shri Rakesh Jain worked hard to bring out this publication. The cover page of the Souviner representing the arrival of Jain Tirthankaras in the land down under was designed by Dr Rachna Jain.

How did it all Began

Messages of Congratulations received

A report by Canberra Jain and Hindu community

A report published in Nav Bharat Times, New Delhi

(This article is also available at Australian Jains home page http://jains.australians.Com )