Sthanak
is a place of silence and deliverance. Here you
will find no idol worshipping, nor any ceremonial
rituals, instead believers sit in quietness, each
reflecting and striving for its own soul's, salvation.
Soul is formless, therefore neither will you find
an idol or picture of the lord hanging anywhere
in the temple of peace.
Shri Vardhaman Sthanakvasi Jain Sangh, Cochin is
the only Sthanakvasi Sangh in the state of Kerala.
It was established about 105 years ago, Jointly
by Kutch Mundra's Shah Devsibhai Bhanji's (owner
Shah Bhanji Ramji & Co Damji Ramji and Mundra's
Shah Ukabhai. As per the details available, Smt.
Jashodabai w/o Shri Jethabhai Kaltunwala, held the
baton of the Sangh as the President, 80 years back.
Supporting her in the day-to-day affairs of the
Sangh was Shri Devshibhai Rayshi, Secretary. The
Constitution was created as early as September 23,
1973 and the managing committee consists of 11 members.
At present there are eighty-two families of Stanak
Vasi Sangh
Shri Sangh is the only one of its kind in the world,
in that; it shares a common entrance with the Murtipujak
Derasar. There are about 70 families from Kutch,
Saurashtra, Kathiawad, Marwar and Punjab residing
in and around Cochin who are members of the Sangh.
Shri Sangh, along with the Deravasi Sangh, organizes
the annual functions with regards to 'Paryushan
Parva' and celebrates 'Samvatsari', 'Swamivatsal',
and felicitation of 'Tapasvis', Samuhik Kshamapana'.
All Munis, Sadhus, Sants and guests return very
impressed with the unity and harmony among the members
of the two Sanghs, viz Sthanakvasi Sangh and Deravasi
Sangh.
Shri Sangh has hosted the Param Pujya Terapanthi
Acharya Tulsi Maharaj in the year 1981 when he arrived
in Cochin passing through from Chennai, Kanyakumari,
Tiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha. This was the
first time a Jain Muni had arrived in Cochin. The
Acharyajis's entourage included 52 Sadhu-Sants,
17 girls seeking 'Diksha', 175 'Shravak-Shravikas'.
Ever since Cochin has been in the route-map of several
Acharya Muni's who have blessed the town with their
honorable presence.
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Common
Entrance for Sthanakvasi and Jain Temple
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The 2500th Birth Anniversary of Shri Bhagwan Mahavir
was celebrated with great aplomb and pomp in the
year 1975 with appreciable support from various
social, religious and financial organizations in
the city. The then Governor and the Home Minister
graced the occasion as the Chief Guests. The organizing
committee was chaired by the then president of the
Sangh, Shri Kantilal R. Mehta and included the then
Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Achyut Menon, as
the Patron.
The young and old members have always awaited the
arrival of Pujya Sadhus and sants. Realizing the
importance of religions values and teachings into
the youth of today, the Sangh has had immense pleasure
in hosting 4 learned Munis on different occasions
for the 'Chaturmaas' in Cochin.
During 'Paryushan', learned men are invited from
various places. Recently, Shri Sudharma Prachar
Mandal, Ahmedabad had very graciously accepted our
invitation and learned Pandits and knowledgeable
people attached to Shri Sudharma Prachar Mandal,
Ahmedabad arrived in Cochin and made the 'Paryushan'
memorable festival.
The Sangh building consisted of 2 halls and 1 office
cum-storeroom. Available facilities were found insufficient
for hosting Sadhu-Sants, Munis, Acharyas and guests
who had to face a lot of hardships. To make their
stay more comfortable a new structure was constructed
with the blessings of Pujya Anilabai Mahasatiji
and generous help from various donors in Cochin,
Ernakulam, Coimbatore, Chennai, Selam, Tirupur,
Erode, Ooty, Coonnor, Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi.
There are now 2 halls (1 on ground floor and one
on 1st floor), 4 rooms and bathrooms.
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Religious
discourse in progress
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Each day regular religious activity, mainly in the
form of Samayik/Pratikraman is held. The family
members also hold Samayik in the fond remembrance
of the departed souls. Apart from this, 51 and 108
Samayik /Pratikraman are organised in every 3 months.
Donations from the Sangh are made towards 'Goshala/Paathashala'
(dairies/religious schools) in Kutch, Gujarat, and
Coimbatore etc.
The Sangh runs a religious school
- 'Paatahshala' by the name 'Matushri Surajben Kantilal
Mehta Jain Paathshala'. During Paryushan the annual
examination is held, competitions conducted and
prizes distributed.
The importance of a library in the quest for knowledge
cannot be undermined. Books are the most accessible
and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of
teachers. The Trustee of the Deravasi Sangh, Shri
Kishorebhai Shamji Kuruwa, inaugurated a library
in February 2004. This library was formed with the
basic idea of service to the Jain community. It
is called 'Indra-Vidya-Bharati' Jain Library.. Shri
Virendra Jain donated a cupboard and a table to
the library and Shri Jain Seva Samaj donated 5 wooden
cupboards.