• Extensive use of electronic devices, lighting systems and air-conditioning feared to adversely impact living beings
• Community members demand immediate halt to construction and seek installation of idols of Jain deities as per the original plan
Ahmedabad, 19 December 2025: Anger is brewing within the Jain community over an electronic digital project currently under construction at the Suvarnapuri Jain pilgrimage site in Bhavnagar’s Songadh. Community leaders have said that the project, being developed at a cost of several crores, goes against the objectives of the Shri Digambar Jain Swadhyay Mandir Trust. They have expressed serious concerns that the project would result in large-scale violence to living beings, in violation of Jain religious principles.
The community has demanded that construction of the project be stopped immediately and that the trust implement the original plan, including the installation of idols of Jain deities and the creation of a grand tableau around the large dome. According to community representatives, Suvarnapuri is an important pilgrimage centre of the Digambar Jain faith. Revered spiritual leaders Shri Kanji Swami and Behnshri Champaben practised spiritual discipline here for 45 years and guided followers in Jain teachings. The trust had decided to create an artificial mountain and install a 41-foot-high idol of Bahubali Bhagwan, a large marble idol of Suryakirti Bhagwan, and a sculpted tableau depicting the history of the 24th Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir Swami, along with Shri Kanji Swami and Behnshri Champaben.
For this purpose, the concept and design of the world’s first large elliptical dome with a tableau were prepared by Rajendra Shah (Rajubhai–Parla), and work was started accordingly. It was also decided that no individual, trustee or person of a different ideology would be permitted to make changes or install any other structure within the dome. However, using his influence and financial power for personal publicity and vested interests, Nemish Shah obtained an unlawful stay from the Charity Commissioner by misrepresentation regarding the installation of Suryakirti Bhagwan. Through deceit and pressure, he forced the trust president, Hasmukh Vora, to approve the construction of the electronic digital project in an illegal manner. Over time, community members and trustees realised that the electronic digital project would involve extensive use of electronic devices, lighting systems, large air-conditioning units and substantial quantities of water. They fear that such a large-scale project would result in significant violence to the six forms of living beings, contrary to Jain principles and the teachings of Shri Kanji Swami. Moreover, the project violates the objectives and rules of the trust.
Historically, even ceiling fans have not been installed in temples or large study halls in Songadh, making the installation of air-conditioning and a digital project unacceptable. Despite strong opposition from the community, Nemish Shah has continued work on the project. Construction had remained suspended from 2017 until October 2025 due to protests against the project’s violent nature, but work has now been restarted. The Jain community believes that the project promotes violence against living beings and amounts to converting the sacred pilgrimage site into a commercial tourist destination. Terming it a “large-scale violent project”, community members have strongly condemned the move and said that sentiments of the entire Jain community have been deeply hurt.
An appeal has also been filed in the Gujarat High Court seeking a halt to the construction. The community has previously submitted written and oral representations to the president and trustees of the Shri Digambar Jain Swadhyay Mandir Trust and has reiterated its demand that all works be carried out strictly in accordance with the original plan, including the installation of idols of Jain deities as originally planned.
