Siddhachalam

Siddhachalam Tirtha
The main temple at Siddhachalam.
Location within New Jersey
Basic information
Location	65 Mud Pond Road, Blairstown, New Jersey, United States
Geographic coordinates	40°57′17″N 74°57′07″W / 40.95478°N 74.95188°WCoordinates: 40°57′17″N 74°57′07″W / 40.95478°N 74.95188°W
Affiliation	Jainism
Festivals	Mahavir Jayanti
Architectural description
Creator	Sushil Kumarji
Date established	1983
Specifications
Temple(s)	2

Siddhachalam is the first Jain Tirtha (pilgrimage site) located outside of India. Founded in 1983 by Acharya Sushil Kumarji, it is located on a 108-acre (44ha) site in rural New Jersey, United States.^[1]

History

In 1965, following changes in American immigration laws, a few Jain monks were allowed to travel from India to the United States to teach Americans about Jainism. This travel necessitated the need for monks to maintain Jain traditions in America. The New Jersey Jain community began the process of establishing a Jain center that could facilitate visiting Jain monks.^[2] Since then, Siddhachalam has become an important center of Jain conferences and an important Jain pilgrimage.^[3] The center houses idols from all Jain sects, given that American Jains have sought to not bring in sectarian differences from India.^[4]

Overview

The main temple has idols of the tirthankaras Rishabha, Pārśva, Mahāvīra, Chandraprabha and Shantinath. There is also a small temple where the main idol is Pārśva.^[5]

The ashram also has a wildlife sanctuary.^[1]

Gallery

• 
  The main temple at Siddhachalam. Both traditions are represented, Digambara on the left and Śvētāmbara on the right

See also

• Jainism in the United States
• Brampton Jain Temple

References

1. "Critical Companion to George Orwell".
2. "Strangers in This Land".
3. "Williams on South Asian Religions and Immigration".
4. "Indians in America".
5. "Faith & Philosophy of Jainism".

External links

• Siddhachalam Jain Tirth