A TEMPLE IS NOT JUST A BUILDING BUT A FOUNDATION OF FAITH AND THE CONNECTING THREAD OF SOCIETY: PANNA LALA JAISWAL

A TEMPLE IS NOT JUST A BUILDING BUT A FOUNDATION OF FAITH AND THE CONNECTING THREAD OF SOCIETY: PANNA LALA JAISWAL

14-NOV-ENG 12

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR--------------------------Born in Dumraon, Buxar district, the work done by Panna Lal Jaiswal is extraordinary. He dedicated his hard-earned money and his life's energy to the reconstruction of temples and religious preservation. Today, he is not only a devout person but has become a symbol of simplicity, dedication, and service.

Panna Lal Jaiswal's life is no less than a film story. Raised in rural soil, Panna always believed that "service is true worship." From an early age, he never allowed his inner faith to fade, even when most people were chasing personal comforts and modernity.

Born in Dumraon, Buxar district, the work done by Panna Lal Jaiswal is extraordinary. He dedicated his hard-earned money and his life's energy to the reconstruction of temples and religious preservation. Today, he is not only a devout person but has also become a symbol of simplicity, dedication, and service.

Panna Lal Jaiswal decided to preserve religious heritage so that future generations remain connected to their roots. He first renovated the Anjan Brahmababa Temple on Dumraon Station Road. Then, in 1982, he renovated the Hanuman Temple in Dumraon Rajgarh. This initiative didn't stop there, and the Nagar Panchayat Kali Temple, which used to be located far from the city, faced difficulty crossing the Kav River. From building a bridge to reach that temple to giving it such a grand look, it has now become the center of many religious events, weddings, and other functions.

After this, he turned to the Kali Temple located at Dumraon Rajgarh Chowk. The temple used to be quite small, but by donating his family's land, he built a 125-foot-tall temple, which people come from far and wide to see and visit. He has undertaken the reconstruction of temples through his personal efforts and support. When asked, Panna Lal Jaiswal says, "Temples are not just buildings of brick and stone, but rather a foundation of faith and a bond that connects society."

Without seeking any government support or publicity, he connected local people, gathering faith rather than donations.

Panna Lal Jaiswal is known for his simplicity and austere life. He eschews expensive clothing or ostentation and devotes most of his time to social service. He spends a large portion of whatever he earns on rebuilding temples. People say that whenever a lamp is lit in a temple, Panna ji's selfless spirit is at work somewhere.

His actions not only led to the repair of temples but also awakened a new sense of unity and spirituality in society.

People from different castes and classes come together to organize voluntary labor and feasts. Here, humanity is celebrated, not religion, and this is Panna Jaiswal's greatest achievement. Panna Jaiswal proved that true devotion lies not in bowing before God, but in doing something for society. Without fanfare, without the desire for position or reward, he transformed his faith into action. Today, he is not only a rebuilder of temples but has also become a champion of faith and simplicity in the hearts of people.