Sramana 2010 04

SR No.: 525072
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ashok Kumar Singh, Shreeprakash Pandey
Publisher: Parshvanath Vidhyashram Varanasi
Publication Year: 2010
Total Pages: 130
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Sramana, & India
File Size: 14 MB

Page 102

Potentials of Tourism with Reference to Varanasi...
: 93
synthesis between the external form and the inner meaning with the result that the figure reveals the height of spirituality. Mahāvīra absorbed in deep mediation is seated without Trichatra on a throne decorated with Viśvapadma.
Another image of equal importance represents Neminātha which is found from Rajghat and is presently preserved in the Bharat Kala Bhavan, Varanasi (Acc. No. 212). The image, datable to c.7th century A.D., is one of the earliest images which contains the figures of Yaksa and Yaksi. Even in the absence of conch cognizance of Neminātha, the image could be identified with Neminātha on account of the figures of his Ambikā Yakşi (shown with two babies) and also a palmtree which is associated with Balarāma who was the cousin brother of Neminātha.
Through this paper as a research student of Tourism I want to make some submissions for promoting tourism in Jaina sector also so that, besides the Jaina pilgrims, general domestic and International Tourists could also be offered some new packages in Varanasi This could be combined with places of Buddhist and Vedic-Puranic interest namely, Sarnath, Vishwanatha Temple, Ganga (Ganga Arati and Boat-ride). Atleast half day should be given for visiting Jaina temples at Sarnath, Chandrapuri and Bhelupur and Bhadaini, last two being birth places respectively of Pārsvanātha and Supāśvanātha. In museums like Archaeological Museum, Sarnath and Bharat Kala Bhavan (B.H.U) also some time should be devoted for appreciating the aesthetic and spiritual beauty of Jaina images.
Another package could be developed as exclusive Jaina circuit which may originate from Varanasi and move to Pava, Sammed Sikhara in East and Ayodhya, Shatrunjaya and Ginnar in the West.
One more package of exclusive Jaina tourism may, besides the above places, include Deograh, Khajuraho, Gwalior, Girnar, Shatrunjaya, Shravanabelgola, Tiruparuttikunram and Halebid. This would be for the Tourists who are interested more in knowing about the contributions of Jainism to art and culture. Now the time has come when we must think rather should make positive efforts for the development of Jaina Tourism for the benefit of Jaina community in particular and global Tourists in general.