Mumbai: Jain Center in USA’s Northern California is shut amid Covid-19 pandemic induced lockdown, will reopen soon, says Mr. Navin Dedhia Member Of The Board Of Directors.

Mumbai: The Covid-19 pandemic has spread massively in the entire universe and has gripped people in every walks of life in fear.

It has gravely impacted religion too in various ways, including the cancellation of the worship services of various faiths, and has shut Places of Worship.

Mr. Navin Dedhia, Member of the Board of Directors shared thoughts and culture of Jain čommunity in United States of America with Hello Mumbai News Reporter Ashmita Chhabria .

Speaking to Ashmita  he stated that Coronavirus is a monster like for all. It has gravely impacted in the entire universe. People around the world are suffering to a great extent, more particularly those residents of USA and India. The condition is so worsening that the people only wish people that this crisis end soon.

The massive spread of the infection has shut down places of worship too. So was the Jain Center located in Northern California , USA which will in all probability re-open soon.

During the course of the conversation Mr.Navin Dedhia further said that, they will definitely abide by all the laws and rules framed by the governors. It is their wish that the people of their community do not fall prey to this most contagious and deadly disease called COVID-19 pandemic.

He further added, Jain Center was shut on 19th March 2020 at a time when their governor passed the order to shut all the religious places. The only one who is allowed to visit the Jain Center is the Pujari ji who visits the Center only in the early hours of the morning.

The Jain Center is thrown open to devotees from 7 am-1:30 pm in the morning, and 6:30 pm-9:00 pm in the evening only on weekdays.
On weekends it is open from 8:00 am -9:00 pm.. Infact Majority of people visit only on weekends and the ones staying nearby, make it regularly.

He further affirmed that many activities like teaching Jain Principles. Languages like Hindi and Gujarati are taught to the children. About 400 children participate in these activities. They also conduct exercise classes for adults. These activities are conducted on weekends.

The Centre celebrates all the major events and festivals, like for instance, Mahavir Jayanti which is a big festival. This year due to lockdown they were unable to celebrate the festival.. Normally, on such occasions they organize an event from 1 pm to 5 pm wherein, people dance, sing, act out a play, etc. or they call for religious prayer or some jain scholar/saint comes and teaches them about Jainism.

This time around they celebrated Mother’s day on zoom app in the same manner. People participated in large numbers. People were very happy, and shared their thoughts with us via song or other activities.

The Jain Center may reopen only based on the strength of the orders of the governor. They will take all the precautionary measures. They will work on safety plan, work on sanitization process, and everything will be as per the orders of government only. All rules and regulations will be strictly adhered to.

Brief Introduction on Jain Center, California, USA:

The Jain Center at the Northern California (JCNC) was established in 1973 with a membership of 20 families. Today, the membership count has escalated to 2000 members in the San Francisco Bay Area.

JCNC was the first Jain temple to have Pratimajis with Pran Pratishtha, thus uniting all Jain groups under one roof. The JCNC is an unique membership-run, non-profit organization incorporating the innovative and progressive life styles of Jain families in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Area while sustaining the religion with its roots back to 900 B.C.

He further shared that, California is in the phase 2, so some places can be open like restaurants are open but they are offering only take away or home delivery. 9 people are allowed to enter and sit there and have meals.

So this is Mr. Navin Dedhia who shared thoughts and culture of Jain Community in USA.

News Report by: Ashmita Chhabria 

News Edit by K.V.Raman