“As a child, I vividly remember my mum taking me to the Jain temple, which we call
“Derasar.” I recall the ritual of taking my shoes off before entering, the cool, soothing
marble beneath my feet, and how, in an instant, I was transported to a world of calm
and peace far removed from the bustling outside. The soft fragrance of incense
lingered in the air, and I can still picture my mum using the back of a matchstick to
place a small dot of sandalwood paste on my forehead after we prayed. These visits,
more than anything, made me understand what it meant to be a Jain and how central
the temple was to our community.”
Article By: By Ajay Punatar – IOJ Trustee.
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This article first featured in Issue 50 ‘Faith Initiative: Embracing Diversity’ Magazine. www.faithinitiative.co.uk
Posted 8 March 2025
