Editor Carla Geerdes
Like many beautiful things, this temple also started with a dream, dreamt not only by one individual, but shared by many. Every single person had one view of this dream.
some dreamt, how the temple should look at noon when the sun is high;
some dreamt, how doors and columns should be carved;
some dreamt of Gandhavars and ornaments,
and some dreamt, how the windows should look like.
Some went in their dreams inside and rang the bell,
some looked to the ceiling and saw how sunlight and lamps would lighten it together,
some dreamt that there would be enough light inside
to show its beauty even there, where the sunlight does not reach,
and some dreamt of wood carved portals opening to outside.
2000 t marble stone were used, 450 workers carved 5759 stones from Rajasthan and Gujarat; the same material as was used for ancient temples. All parts were manufactured at different places in India (Rajasthan & Mumbai), brought to England by ship, and combined there. All was done at measure! No other building had been erected on the temple ground before; the first traditionally built up European Jain temple is a masterpiece of handcraft and modern logistics.