Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington to Celebrate Historic Temple Inauguration

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New Jain Temple in the Washington, DC Area Marks a Spiritual Milestone

Silver Spring, MD – February 24, 2025 – The Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington (JSMW) has announced the historic Pratishtha, or inauguration, of its newly constructed Jain temple in Beltsville, Maryland. This landmark event, set to take place on May 31 and June 1, 2025, represents a significant spiritual and cultural milestone for the Jain community across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia regions. The temple’s realization fulfills a vision that began in 2010.

Designed to unite all Jain sects—Shwetambar, Digambar, and Sthanakwasi—the temple reflects the principles of unity and inclusivity. “This state-of-the-art temple is designed to honor and unite all Jain sects, emphasizing the unity and diversity of Jainism,” said Vishal Mehta, President of JSMW. “The temple’s Moolnayak idols include Shri Sankeshwar Parshwanath Bhagwan for the Shwetambar sect and Shri Adinath Bhagwan for the Digambar sect, while a dedicated meditation and prayer space honors the Sthanakwasi sect’s tradition of non-idol worship.”

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The grand celebrations will begin with the Utthapan & Varghodo ceremony on May 23, 2025, followed by pre-Pratishtha rituals from May 24 to May 30. The main Pratishtha Mahotsav on May 31 and June 1 will be the highlight of the event, bringing together the community for a weekend of religious observances, gratitude, and festivity.

“This temple stands as a testament to the dedication and unity of our community,” said Dr. Gita Shah, Chairperson of JSMW’s Board of Trustees. “It reflects Jain values of compassion, peace, and inclusivity while providing a spiritual sanctuary for generations to come.”

Beyond its spiritual significance, the new temple will also serve as the home of JSMW’s Pathshala, an educational initiative where children learn and integrate Jain values, including ahimsa (non-violence), anekantvad (acceptance of multiple perspectives), and aparigraha (non-possessiveness), into their daily lives. “Our Pathshala plays a vital role in ensuring that Jain teachings are passed down to future generations,” said Monica Shah, Director of Education.

The entire community is invited to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event. “JSMW warmly welcomes everyone to join this spiritual journey and take part in these grand celebrations,” said Sandeep Mehta, JSMW Vice President. “Further details, including event schedules and opportunities for sponsorship and volunteering, will be shared in the coming months.”

For more information about the Pratishtha celebrations, visit www.jsmw.org/pratishtha.

About JSMW: The Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington (JSMW) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the Jain community in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Established in 1980, JSMW promotes Jain teachings through spiritual, cultural, and educational initiatives.

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