Anandji Kalyanji Trust

History

Initially founded to manage the Shatrunjaya Palitana temples, it now manages numerous Jain tirthas and temples belonging to the Śvetāmbara tradition. It is said to have been founded by Shantidas Zaveri and its leadership has been in the same family for generations, who have been the Nagar-seths of Ahmedabad. Kasturbhai Lalbhai, an industrialist and educationist, who was the eleventh generation member, headed the trust for 50 years, followed by Shrenik Kasturbhai Lalbhai for 30 years. Samveg Lalbhai now heads the trust. Bhavarlal Nahta has written that the organization for restoring the Satrunjaya temples was originally founded by Acharya Devachandraji as mentioned in Devavilasa.

The name Sheth Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi would suggest that it is a business house belonging to Sheth Anandji, the son of Kalyanji. However, the names are imaginary and they refer to the role of the trust bringing Anand – pleasure and Kalyan- bliss to the Jain pilgrims.

The available documentation takes the history of the trust to samvat 1777 (1720 AD).