The Munisuvrat derasar in Nairobi was consecrated in February 1984. Murtis were brought from India and skilled artisen took years to build a magnificent temple. The temple was built by the Oshwal community. The foundation stone was laid on 22 January 1976. The consecration ceremony (pratistha mahotsav) was between 4 February to 12 February 1984.
The first Jains are believed to have come to Kenya in 1899. Paul Dundas mentions that a Śwetambar Jain temple existed in Nairobi since 1926. It is also believed that the early settlers formed a “ghar derasar” (house temple) in 1957. Pujya Gurudeva Chitrabhanu visited Nairobi in 1971 and encouraged the community to build a grand temple. The Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi assisted and gave guidance for building the temple. Pink sand stone from Balasore gives the temple its unique pinkish hue.
There are 10 murtis:
- Munisuvratswami, Ajitnath Bhagwan and Shreyansnath Bhagwan;
- Parsvanath Bhagwan, Shantinath Bhagwan & Mahaveerswami (these three murtis were sent from Zanzibar and on 22 August 1971 were temporarily installed at a Ghar derasar);
- Shantinath Bhagwan, Anantnath Bhagwan & Arnath Bhagwan.
- Chandraprabhu Bhagwan
Click the link above for Munisuvrat Swami Dhun
The inner walls are adorned with murals of prominent pilgrim sites in India and Devas and Devis.
References:
1. Internet
2. Jain Digest
3. Shri Munisuvrat Swami Jain Derasar Facebook page
4. Shah, Sneh (1977) “Who are the Jains?”
5. Rise and Glory History of Halari Visa Oshwals by Rati Dodhia
