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4.5.
JAINISM IN BIHAR
4.5.1 Historical Background
Unpartitioned Bihar was the centre of Shraman culture' is the place where twentytwo, out of twenty-four Tirthankars attained salvation (Nirvan). Out of these twenty - two, the six were born here. Hence the sacred place of Bihar occupies the special place in the world. Lord Sheetalnath (10hTirthankar) was born at Bhadrikapur; Lord Vasupujya Swami (12th Tirthankar) at Champapur, Lord Mallinath Swami (19th Tirthankar) and Lord Mahavir Swami at Vaishali. Out of twenty-four Tirthankars Sri Rishabdevji and Lord Neminath Swamiji attained salvation at Kailash Mountain and Girnar Mountain respectively. The sacred land of Bihar has also the privilege of having fourty-six Kalyanak of human welfare.
Politically Bihar is now divided into two parts; The Macca of Jain Religion "Sammed Shikhar" is now in the state of Jharkhand. It was on this sacred land of Bihar that
monarchs from Sishunag dynasty to Gupta dynasty resigned and ruled all over Indian territories and far off provinces. The Jain emperor Chandragupt of the Maurya Empire renounced everything for the initiation of knowledge as “Nirgranth Muni”, at the end of his life. The great “Sheelvratdhari Mahamuni Sudarshanji” got salvation here. "Acharya Sri Sthoolbhadra Swami” presented unique example of "Sheelvrat" after spending four month of rainy season (Chaturmas) in the “Chitrashala” of “Nagarvadhu Kosha" of Patliputra.
The ancient Jain pilgrimage of Bihar has a rich story. It is a unique place of the two sects of Jainism, which has been the birth and growth of Jainism.
4.6 JAIN TEMPELS OF BIHAR 4.6.1 Patna
Patliputra has been the meeting point of different religion: "Sheelvratdhari Mahamuni Sudarshan" of Jain religion attained salvation (Nirvaan) at Gulzarbag. The birthplace of 10th Guru of Sikh religion; Guru Govind Singhji Maharaj. Phulwari Sharif is the place of pilgrimage of the believers of Islam. Lord Buddha embraced and sanctified this place with his advent here and the santifying river the holy Ganga flows through this region.
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