New Delhi

The Australian High Commission in India on Thursday announced that nearly 3,000 tonnes of marble from Rajasthan—the same stone used in building the Taj Mahal—will be sent to Australia for the construction of new Jain temples in Melbourne and Sydney. This marks a significant milestone for Australia’s 6,000-strong Jain community, fulfilling a long-held dream.

Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, shared the news on X, saying, “Rajasthan’s timeless marbles, the same stone that built the Taj Mahal, are heading to Australia. Nearly 3,000 tonnes will soon shape new Jain temples in Melbourne and Sydney, as Australia’s Jain community builds a legacy of faith and heritage.”

Construction of Victoria’s first Jain temple in Melbourne, using 1,500 tonnes of Rajasthan marble, is already underway and expected to be completed next year. The Melbourne Shwetambar Jain Sangh (MSJS), a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2007, is spearheading the project. MSJS engages the local Jain community in religious and cultural activities, promoting the principles of Jainism, which emphasizes non-violence and personal spiritual growth.

This initiative reflects the strong cultural and heritage links between India and Australia. The High Commission has also been active in promoting Indian culture, recently celebrating Hindi Diwas by sharing videos of staff reciting Hindi tongue-twisters and highlighting the language as a bridge of friendship and culture between the two nations.

The temple projects in Melbourne and Sydney not only provide places of worship but also stand as symbols of India’s cultural heritage being shared with the global Jain community, strengthening multicultural ties in Australia.