Our Antwerp Jain community (Sangh) is blessed by our Guru Bhagvant Param Pujya Acharya Shri Subodhsagarsurishwarji Maharaj Saheb, Param Pujya Acharya Shri Manoharkirtisagarsuswarji Maharaj Saheb and Param Pujya Acharya Shri Udaykirtisagarsurishwarji Maharaj Saheb, and occasioned to establish an organization called as JAIN CULTURAL CENTER ANTWERP vzw (JCCA) with the objectives to construct Derasar and Aradhana Bhavan to conduct all kind of Jain Religious/Spiritual activities.
The Antwerp Derasar symbolizes the Indian culture in Antwerp. The Derasar is one of the largest in Europe and depicts the rich tradition of the Jain religion. The architecture and the artwork of the Derasar give us an insight into the Jain culture and history.
The initial groundwork and study were undertaken by the committee members. The committee members visited several Indian Derasars and studied their design and architecture. This survey and study continued till the year 2000 with regular visits by the committee members to Ahmedabad and Makrana for marble selection. The prominent, experienced, and well known Indian temple architect Shri Vinubhai Sompura who provided his services for planning, designing and constructing Derasar & Aradhana Bhavan (Upashray) by the Belgian Architecture and the contractor.
The best of Makrana stone was selected and specialists from Jaipur were chosen to make all Pratima.In August 2000 during Paryushana Parva, Arihant Aradhak Mandal from Kolkata brought 2 Dhatu na Prabhujis and a Navpadji for daily Pooja. A small makeshift Derasar was constructed in the meantime for the daily Pooja. It was a great moment for our entire Antwerp Jain Sangh to start having daily Puja.
Finally, in April 2001 the construction of the Jinalay and Aradhana Bhavan started with the arrival of the first container of Marble in Antwerp. The local construction companies from Antwerp and skilled labourers from India were also employed for the construction. Care was taken to adhere to the principles of Jainism during the construction of this holy Temple. Over the years, craftsmen from India were being brought to Antwerp to work on the Temple project.
The Temple has a significant impact on the Jain community. Though the Jains in Antwerp are far away from their home country, they ardently follow the principles of Jainism. Their lifestyle exhibits their Culture, Religious Beliefs and Sanskar (human values for love, truth, right conduct, peace and non-violence). The Indian merchants, on gaining their foothold in the diamond industry in Antwerp were blessed by the shower of Krupa from our Lord Shri Shankheshwar Parshvanath Bhagvan, the advice and Blessings from our Guru Bhagvants, we decided on the Auspicious Moment on 13 December 1991 to construct a Derasar and a Aradhana Bhavan a place to perform all Religious/Spiritual activities in a group by our Antwerp Sangh where Jain monks and Nuns live in India for their spiritual elevation.
In the Antwerp Derasar we have Shri Shankheshwar Parshvanath as Mulnayak Bhagvan. On the right of the Mulnayak Bhagvan, we have the Prabhuji of Shri Vasupujyaswami Bhagvan and Shri Adinath Dada. On the left of Mulnayak Bhagvan, we have Prabhuji of Shri Munisuvratswami and Shri Mahavirswami Bhagvan. The carving on every door were done at Shri Mahavir Aradhana Kendra in Koba under the guidance of Pujya Shri Ajaysagarji Maharaj, the brilliant Disciple of Acharya Bhagvant Shri Padmasagarsurishwarji Maharaj Saheb who helped us to decide the theme and the selection of the historical stories of Jain Religion. We decided various Themes and Stories for carving on all wooden Doors.
The outside of the main door on First Floor of Aradhana Bhavan has been carved of Jain Sadhu and Sadhvis. The adjoining two doors have been carved of Darshan, Gyan, Charitra and Tap (Right Vision, Right knowledge and Right conduct and Penance). The next 2 doors have been carved that explain the Eight Karmas, followed on the next 4 doors by the tales on Sixteen Bhavana. All are based on Historical Jain History. The inside of every door of the Aradhana Bhavan are being carved with engravings depicting the lifetime events of the 24th Tirthankar Paramatma Shri Mahavirswami Bhagvan.
The etchings on the doors of the Derasar explain the story of the lifetime events of Shri Parshvanath Bhagvan.
On 31 Jan 2007 Our Guru Bhagvant Param Pujya Acharya Shri Subodhsagarsurishwarji Maharaj Saheb, Param Pujya Acharya Shri Manoharkirtisagarsuswarji Maharaj Saheb and Param Pujya Acharya Shri Udaykirtisagarsurishwarji Maharaj Saheb performed the most pious ceremony of Anjan Shalaka in Jain Religion, a ritual to apply the holy collyrium on the eyes of our all Pratima of the Antwerp Derasar and then onward all Pratima are called as Prabhujis for worshiping. All the Prabhujis were brought to Antwerp on 19 August 2008 as per the rituals (Vidhis) according to the Jain scriptures. Prabhuji were welcomed in Antwerp with a grand procession on 25th August 2008.
After Nagar Pravesh on 25th August 2008, we had grand Pratishtha Mahotsava after two years, the most awaited Auspicious moments we experienced on 27th August 2010 when we performed Pratishtha Ceremony by the well-known Vidhikar Shri Narendrabhai Hiralal (who represented our Guru Bhagvants) in the presence of the entire Sangh and many dignitaries. We call Jinalay and Aradhana Bhavan as Monuments of Love and Peace and it was opened for the public. It’s a perfect place for everyone to attain eternal Peace. In the entire project, we have received lots of help from Respected Shri Kumarplabhai Desai and many Volunteer Brothers and Sisters from our Antwerp Sangh. JCCA is indebted to everyone who helped to create a kind of a Religious Center on the Land on Antwerp, Belgium and our dream came true.
Since then, Many many high profile dignitaries had visited our Derasar for Darshan including our Indian Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naiduji, our Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi, many different ministers from India, Belgian Governor Mr. Camille Paulus, Ms. Cathy Berx, Mayor Mr. Bart De Wever, Spiritual Leaders also Blessed us such as Sri Sri Ravishankarji, Pujya Gurudev Shri Rakeshbhai Jhaveri, Pujya Shri Jinchandraji Maharaj Saheb, and many more. Many well-known dignitaries from Belgium and India, and thousands of Visitors from Belgium, Europe and various part of the world have visited Derasar for Darshan, Puja and for various religious ceremonies.
Derasar along with Aradhana Bhavan are become very important holistic place for Worshipping representing Jainism and it’s philosophy, and also exhibiting traditional Culture for Jain Temples.
Since Inauguration ceremony on 27th August 2010, our organization JCCA conduct various religious ceremonies regularly including our the most pious days of Paryushana Parva every year.
Antwerp Jain Derasar is become the one of the most Religious place in Europe for Spiritual Elevation, Eternal Love and Peace.