Jainism in Gujarat

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Palitana temples

Jainism has had a notable following in Gujarat.[1] According to the 2011 Census of India, around 0.959% of the population of Gujarat is Jain.[2] There are several old Jain temples that draw pilgrims from Jains around the world in places such as Palitana, Taranga, Sankheshwar, Idar.

History[edit]

Jains believe that their 22nd Tirthankara (propagators of Jain religion) Neminath attained Moksha/ Nirvana on Girnar in Gujarat. Many other monks have also got attained Moksha in Gujarat; especially on the holy mountains of Girnar and Shatrunjaya. The Jain councils were held in Vallabhi c. 5th century CE.[3] Their canonical scriptures were written down during this council. King Vanaraja Chavda (c. 720-780 CE) of the Chavda dynasty was brought up by a Jain monk named Shilaguna Suri.

Jain temples are found in Gujarat from as early as the 6th and 7th centuries CE. It was patronized by the Chaulukyas and Chavadas.[4] Dhank Caves (3rd-7th century CE) in Rajkot district has Jain Tirthankara carvings. Northern Gujarat became a principle center of Jainism in the 13th century CE.[5]

The earliest known Old Gujarati text Bharat-Bahubali Ras, was written by a Jain monk Shalibhadra Suri.[6] Of the most important people in Gujarat's Jain history were the Acharya Hemachandra Suri and his pupil, the Chaulukya ruler Kumarapala.

Major Centers[edit]

Major ancient Jain centers include:


Photo gallery[edit]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Glasenapp, Helmuth von (1999). Jainism. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 9788120813762. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  2. ^ "Census of India : C-1 Population By Religious Community". 27 August 2015. Archived from the original on 27 August 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  3. ^ Shah, Natubhai (2004). Jainism. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. ISBN 9788120819382. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  4. ^ Wink 1991, p. 355.
  5. ^ Prakash, Om (2005). Cultural History of India. New Age International. ISBN 9788122415872. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  6. ^ Datta 1987, p. 454.

References[edit]