Our Bureau
Milpitas, CA
Since its inception in 1975, the Jain Center of Northern California (JCNC) has been serving Jains and the Bay Area in social, cultural and spiritual spheres. Marking 50 years of service, JCNC is now a landmark institution for thousands of Bay Area families. The magnificent Jain temple in Milpitas rose in the year 2000 from the humble grounds near Union Pacific Railroad.
Over the past 25 years, the JCNC Bhawan has become a true spiritual home—nurturing religious devotion, cultural preservation, educational enrichment, youth engagement, and seva (selfless service). The JCNC Bhawan is more than just a building—it is a beacon of optimism, aspiration and innovation for the tiny global Jain population of almost 5 million.
The Shobha Yatra or Grand Jain Parade celebrates the history, legacy and community of JCNC. It shows the strong, integrated, service-oriented community of Jains in the Bay Area. It is a one-of-a-kind spiritual parade being held for the first time in the United States. With over 300 participants, 5 performances and four spectacular floats, it was designed so every age, language and ethnicity can enjoy. The parade showcased the ancient Jain philosophy and values as well as art and culture to show the openness of the Jain community. It successfully inspired a deep sense of pride in its youth including through their own leadership during the parade.
The parade was attended by Assembly Men, Mayors, Council Members and County Supervisors as well as prominent Jain figures with national and international impact on society. Over 4,000 people attended this parade and came from all over the Bay Area starting at 8:30 AM. It took 5 months to plan and involved over 150 volunteers, artists and craftsmen.
