Vile Parle's Jains will come together to celebrate Shataabdi Anandotsav Parv

We take immense pride in this centuryold institution founded by my grandfatherrdquo says Jai Shah managing trustee of the Sheth Ghelabhai Karamchand Jain Sanatorium Trust in Vile Parle West near the railway station Established on November 25 1925 the temple is the oldest Jain Derasar between Bandra and Goregaon and remains a spiritual anchor for the Jain community of Mumbairsquos Western suburbsWhat makes this centenary celebration truly special is the 1001yearold idol of Shankheshwar Parshvanath the 23rd Jain Tirthankar enshrined at the templersquos heart Acharya Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharajsaheb describes it as ldquoa rare creation dating back to Vikram Samvat 1080 1024 CE predating the Solanki dynasty in Western Indiardquo Unlike the ornate Hindu bronzes of the Chola dynasty around the same period Jain bronzes of Gujarat reflect restraint and serenityCast in panchdhaatu a fivemetal alloy with an early Devanagari inscription the idol probably came to Mumbai with Jain migrants from Gujarat Devotees believe it radiates divine energy its tranquil expression and exquisite detailing reflecting an era when faith and art were intertwinedThe visionary behind this institution Sheth Dahyabhai Ghelabhai Shah hailed from Mehsana in Gujarat A successful sugar broker he chose to retire at 40 to devote his life to spirituality and community service ldquoDespite being the driving force behind several charitable institutions in Mumbai and Gujarat he never named any after himselfrdquo shares Jai ShahThe Jain Tirthankarsrsquo story inscribed on a silver backdrop in the inner sanctumA devout Jain Sheth Dahyabhai undertook the sacred pilgrimage to Palitana in Gujarat 99 times during the course of his life and embraced Bhava Alochana or constant introspection and repentance for spiritual purification A steadfast devotee of Ghantakarna Dev king turned protector deity in Jainism he passed away at the age of 86 while peacefully reciting the Navkar MantraDahyabhai first encountered Acharya Buddhisagar Maharajsaheb in Mehsana during the latterrsquos Chaturmas four months of monsoon stay a meeting that would profoundly shape his spiritual journey Acharya Buddhisagar is renowned for establishing the renowned Mahudi Jain temple Drawn to the Acharyarsquos wisdom Dahyabhai visited him often in Vijapur Gujarat and ultimately accepted him as his spiritual guru seeking his counsel in every aspect of lifeAs Jain scholar Dr Renuka Porwal notes ldquoWhen Dahyabhai fell critically ill in 1922 he wrote to his Guru expressing fear for his life Acharya Buddhisagarji in meditation assured him of recovery and Dahyabhai did recover well Out of gratitude he resolved to build a Derasar and sanatorium in his Gurursquos memoryrdquoThe original plaque from 1925 at the temple entrance right Sheth Dahyabhai Shah founder of the 100yearold Jain DerasarThe vision took form as the Sheth Ghelabhai Karamchand Jain Sanatorium Trust and over time became a sacred refuge for Jain monks especially during ChaturmasDahyabhairsquos devotion extended far beyond the temple The sanatorium kitchen still serves Ayambil meals boiled food without oil ghee or spices throughout the year along with boiled water He also established the Sheth Amthalal Ghelabhai Trust which continues to provide education and healthcare aid to the underprivileged in memory of his brother In 1935 he inspired the founding of the Shrimad Buddhisagarsuri Jain Band Mandal a group that upholds the communityrsquos rich tradition of devotional music to this dayA century later Jai Shah continues to uphold his grandfatherrsquos values as he leads the 10day Shataabdi Anandotsav Parv ldquoIn our society a son is often seen as the one who carries his fatherrsquos family name forward My grandfather Sheth Dahyabhai only had three daughters and as his eldest daughterrsquos son I want to prove that even a daughterrsquos children can preserve their maternal grandfatherrsquos legacy We have restored the temple and the property giving it a new lease of life for the younger generation to reconnect with their faithrdquo he saysThe 10day centenary celebration from November 21 to 30 will culminate in grand events on November 29 and 30 featuring a rath yatra mahapuja cultural programmes and community meals