Sydney Jain Mandal (SJM) started with a very humble beginning in early 1991 when 5 families at Sydney decided to get together to celebrate Mahavir Jayanthi. It was then decided to meet every month and since then Jain Community in Sydney has never looked back.
1991-2000 saw gradual increase in numbers. From 5 to 8, to 10, to 20. We had a roster to host monthly get togethers in individual homes. By year 2000, we had over 40 families attending monthly get togethers and it was not practical anymore to hold meetings in individual homes/ apartments. We then started to have monthly meetings in Hindu temple in Auburn.
In year 2000, SJM decided to take a Giant step and installed Jain Pratima in Hindu Temple at Florey in Canberra, Australia. A huge Pratima of Mahavir Swamy Ji in white marble was brought from Jaipur to Australia and Pratishtha was done by Sri Deevendrakeerthi Bhattarakha Swamji of Hombuja Jain Mutt.
Then in 2003, SJM took another initiative to bring two Pratima's from Jaipur, one of Mahavir Swamy in white marble and another Parasnath Bhagwan in Black marble. These were installed in Hindu Temple at Auburn in Sydney. The pratishtha ceremony was once again done by Sri Deevendrakeerthi Bhattarakha Swamji of Hombuja Jain Mutt.
SJM started planning to build our own Jain Temple in Sydney. Team started to look for suitable land/ building all around Sydney. We were limited with funds, so fund raising activities were planned, overseas organisations were approached and finally a core team of 7 families was formed who committed to fund any short fall in temple funding. This resolved funding issue and gave us a means and confidence to move forward in acquiring our own temple in Sydney.
A warehouse in Seven Hills was identified and acquired in January 2014. While this was happening discussions with Murtikaars in Jaipur, with Scholars for guidance and planning for eventual Panch Kalyanak started. After huge efforts, co-ordination and late night calls, Mahavir Swamy’s Pratima was finally ready, consecrated in India and despatched to Australia.
The whole SJM was excited and thrilled when large & heavy boxes containing marble Murty, Vedi and other artifacts arrived at the temple location. A date of June 8th, 2015 was finalised for Panch Kalyanak. Pt Mahavir Shashtri from Sholapur, India was invited to conduct the 5 days Panch Kalyanak. Those 5 days had an amazing festive environment. Everyone in SJM was full of excitement.
A dream had come true, a huge milestone was achieved and efforts of the SJM leadership team, supported by various sub-committees and Jain community at large, delivered our own Jain mandir ji in Sydney. The dreams, aspirations and efforts of the past SJM leaders, community and supporters finally became a reality.
Pt ji asked the community to ensure daily Abhishek. This has never stopped except for few months during Covid Pandemic.
Every year we invite and host scholars from India during Dus Lakshan Parva and for Adhyatmic Shibir. Over years we have called huge variety of scholars such as Brahmcharis from Acharya Tulsi’s organisation (Ladnum), Bhattarakji from Hombuja Jain Math & Moodbidri, Pt Sanjeev Godha (Jaipur), Pt Saurabh Sashtri (Indore), Raju Bhai of Songadh and Pt Naman Jain of Sharoor Kalan to name a few.
Sydney Jain Mandal runs fortnightly get together on 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month from 9am- 2PM. We start with Abhishek, then Pooja, Pathshala, Dharm Churcha and community lunch.
In addition to Fortnightly get together, we organise 4 functions on a grand scale i.e. Mahavir Jayanthi, Pratishtha Day Celebration, Kshammavani, Mahavir Nirvaan. In addition,
For further information, please contact SJM Committee