ANCIENT JAIN IDOLS FOUND IN CHANDIGARH
Breaking up earth in the basement of Burail’s Pracheen Shiv Mandir at Chandigarh, labourers discovered ancient idols — believed to be hundreds of years old. The deities, reportedly belonging to Digambar Jain community, have been taken into possession by the administration. The discovery of idols can open a new chapter about city’s history, if it is confirmed that the deities actually belong to the Jain community — at least this is what a Professor in Punjab University’s Department of History believes.They too are reportedly looking into the discovery. Temple authorities claim that the idols were unearthed between May 29 and June 1 while the labourers were digging in the basement. Temple’s sabha general secretary Kashmiri Lal Gupta says about 10 to 12 idols have been pulled out with great care and caution. All idols have been carved out of stone. Even though the temple itself is believed to be centuries old, the find took everyone by surprise. Residents and experts who witnessed the “great discovery” claim that the idols are of Lord Mahavira in standing and sitting positions. Sculptures carved in the shape of elephant and lion have also been found. The witnesses claim that some of the idols were broken. For so many days they were lying without security, they allege.Though exact information about was temple’s history is not readily available, experts claim that there was a mount where the temple stands today. They add that “samadhis” of nine sadhus is also present on the temple premises. The ASI authorities, however, refused to confirm the claim. A delegation led by president of Sector 27 Shri Digamber Jain Sabha M. S. Jain also visited the temple and reportedly asked for the idols. Information courtsey: Shri. Yashwant Malaiya, E-mail: ymalaiya@yahoo.com.

Courtesy of Ahimsa Times    www.jainsamaj.org    Send News to  Email:ahimsa@jainsamaj.org