The United Nations has declared October 2 as the International Day of Non-violence in the honour of Mahatma Gandhi. Following it, Shri Digambar Jain Mandir, conveying the message of non-violence and vegetarianism, has been inaugurated today. First of its kind in the city, Digambar Jain temple has come up at Dugri, Dhandra Road, in an area of 1,000 square yards.

Amresh Jain, president of the temple, said, “We have installed five-feet tall white marble statue of Lord Mahavira here. The “Pran-Pratishthha” ceremony will be performed from November 28 to December 4 by Digambar Jain saint, who will visit Punjab for the first time.” he said.

“Maanav stambh” will be installed outside the temple, on the top of which there will be statue depicting Lord Indera and Lord Mahavira.

Manjul Jain, a cashier at the temple, said, “Various activities will be undertaken in order to inculcate values and sensitize the humankind towards the salient message of Lord Mahavira. His message includes non-violence, non-materialism and respect for different points of view and benefits of adopting vegetarianism.”

Jain said that in future, some more projects in the service of general public — like a veterinary hospital or a charitable hospital — would also be started in the same premises. There are about 7,000 people belonging to Digambar sect of Jainism in the city.