The Dream Come True
However cliché this title sounds upfront, the temple discussed in today’s issue is a genuine translation of the dream of a woman with aspiration— turning into reality.
Premlataben Kothari, a resident of the hustled Bhuleshwar district of Mumbai is one of the few aged women of today’s times who wanders with an image in her mind — one that she dreamed of in the early 1970s — and is putting in every drop of sweat and every ounce of determination to realize that image and manifest it into the tangible — Shree Chandanbala Jain Deraser (39 years old).
She consulted Shree Ramchandrasuri Maharasahib upon having vividly dreamed of performing the ritual of ‘prakshal pooja’ (devourer the deity with milk and water) using a ‘kalash’ (sprinkler) made of precious gems — “Something extravagant is going to be executed by you” he foretold.
Soon after, she acquired the land in the heart of Malabar Hills and built the magnificent temple of Chandanbala.
During Mahavirswami Bhagwan’s (24th Jain Tirthankar) era, his first female disciple was ‘Shree Chandanbala’ which is from where this temple obtains its name and virtue, and rightly so. The temple, not only becomes a place of worship, it also stands for the power of a woman with a dream and a direction.
Even today, it is one of the most frequented ‘Mahavirswami Bhagwan’ Temples in all of Mumbai. Be it on Mahavir Janam during the festival of Pajushan or Mahavir Jayanti — the temple is flooded with devotees.
Interestingly, over the years, the temple has evolved into a more interactive community involving space. The designer has been clever in understanding the ‘social’ character of a temple in today’s times and has resourcefully redefined the utilization of space within the premise.
A separate terrace is created to host private ‘pooja’ (prayer) functions (it can also act as an informal gathering space for impromptu temple-related events). A segregated yet connected large upashray (space for Jain monks) is a flaunt for the temple — where the devotees can easily reach the monks for conversational purposes, yet the Upashray enjoys an immense amount of privacy. The conception of an outer informal pavilion for prayer as well as discussions — are a few interesting design reforms. The exterior flooring has now been marbled in order to disallow vehicular penetration, hence pedestrianizing the entire space; a few added benches under the roofed campus makes the devotees stay inside for a little longer than intended.
The concept of incorporating various different elements which deserve worship over and above the idol, is a unique quality of this temple. Every year the temple adds more and more such beautifully carved and thought provoking elements of reverence which makes the visit to the temple ever more satisfying. An extended version of the famous Shatrunjay temples is carved in stone, it’s 3D image along with a real stone from the very mountain is placed in this temple; a replica of Pavapuri Deraser (North India) where Mahavir Bhagwan attained Nirvana redefines the entrance steps; a model of Shree Ashtapad Parvat and The Samavasaran are also delicately placed within the premise. Every corner of this temple is an inspiration to an onlooker.
All in all, this temple is a journey; a journey through the life of Bhagwan Mahavir, through a smartly designed architectural monument, through the most prominent sparks of Jainism and moreover… Through the dream of a woman with conviction.