The Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington (JSMW) has raised a significant portion of the funds needed for the Pratishtha Mahotsav of its new Jain Temple in Beltsville, Maryland. The fundraising event, Patrika Lekhan, took place over the weekend of March 15-16 and saw contributions from the JSMW’s approximately 700 families.
The temple, designed to be a center for both spiritual practice and education, will feature intricately carved murtis – or statues – of revered Tirthankars and meditative spaces. Dr. Gita Shah, Chairperson of JSMW’s Board of Trustees, asserted that the new temple will serve as both a spiritual place and an educational center. “With a dedicated Pathshala, we are ensuring that young Jains have a space to learn and carry forward the timeless teachings of Jain philosophy for generations to come.”
The Pratishtha Mahotsav, or the inauguration ceremony for the temple, is scheduled for May 31-June 1, 2025. With the fundraising largely complete, the JSMW is now focusing on the final stages of planning for the grand celebration.
Find out more about the JSMW here.
This text was edited with the assistance of an AI tool, and has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and clarity by India Currents.
