In Melbourne, one person fasts every day to fulfill the promise of building a derasar

Melbourne, Saturday, August 21, 2021

A magnificent Jain derasar is being built in the city of Melbourne, Australia, subject to the rules of sculpture and scriptures. With the inspiration and spiritual guidance of Vallabhasuri Maharaja, the foundation stone of Jain Derasar was laid.

Talking about this, says Nitinbhai Doshi, President of Melbourne Jain Sangh. Families living in foreign lands 10,000 km away from India and the coming generation should be connected with the rites of religion. This single thought has united the entire Jain community of Melbourne. Under this project, one person fasts daily till the resolution to build Derasar and Jain Community Center in Melbourne is fulfilled which is called chain fasting in Jainism. He has been performing a daily religious fast in Melbourne since August 15, 2015, which has led to a total of more than 15 fasts so far.

Nitinbhai further said that there are about 200 Jain families in Melbourne, including all communities. The Jain community of approximately 1500 persons consists of 5% youth in the age group of 8 to 20 years. A schedule of every 6 months is fixed for the continuous penance of fasting. Children, young people and adults who want to fast together by keeping WhatsApp group stay in touch with each other. It has also happened that some devotees have fasted 10 to 12 times for the resolution to build Derasar. Special care is taken to ensure that no fast is missed even by mistake.

Melbourne-based Triptiben Shah says all devotees consider the start of Derasar construction as a historic moment and a step towards uniting future generations with faith. According to the information received, white marble stone from Pindwada Rajasthan is being carved for the construction of Derasar which was laid in Melbourne. In addition to Derasar, the complex will have a bustling center for religious worship, periodicals, pratikramas, schools and other religious activities. The center will have a multi-purpose hall, dining room, library and kitchen. The total complex area including Derasar Center and car parking will be more than 50,000 square feet.

More than 5,000 stones will be brought to Australia via the Indian Ocean

Just as Jain Derasar in India is an incredible architectural marvel, Melbourne's Jain Derasar will be beautiful and spectacular to all. Designed by the famous Sompura Rajeshbhai of Ahmedabad, for Melbourne's Derasar, more than 2,000 marble stones weighing 1,200 tons with beautiful carvings from India will be brought to Australia via the Indian Ocean. The carving work will be completed in about a year and a half. This derasar is likely to be completed and the reputation is likely to happen in about 205. Devotees associated with the Melbourne Jain Sangh have worked hard at the entire management, from going door to door to raising funds for the construction of Derasar. Derasar in the form of flower petals has become a partner in construction.