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LEGACY OF JAINS AND ITS IMPACT ON MAHARASHTRA: A STUDY
the Osavalas from Marwar, the Agravalas and Khandelvalas from Uttar Pradesh, the Paravaras and Baghervalas from the Madhya Pradesh. These families are found in all important commercial centres of Maharashtra but still maintained their connection with their native places. Cutchi visa Osavalas in Bombay city are originated from Cutch area of Sourashtra. They had agriculturalists and maintained their property and relation there also. Many Sthanakvasi Osavala families residing in Poona city is migrated from Jodhapur and till keep their relations with Rajasthan (Ibid: 331332).
The Chaturthas, Panchamas and Bogar have migrated from Karnataka and the Upadhayayas from Mysore and South India. In Maharashtra Jain Digambar Chaturth mainly residing in villages and farmers in occupation have concentrated in Kolhapur, Sangli districts, southern Parts of Maharashtra and Hubli, Dharwad and Belgaum, northern parts of today's Karanataka State. Digambar Jains; Pancham, Shetawal, Kasar, Bogars are mainly traders residing at urban centres of Maharashtra (Patil 2006: 82).
JAINA CAVES, TEMPLES AND RELIGIOUS CENTERS:
There are views expressed by scholars that Jainism could not make much of headway in the region of Maharashtra compared to Gajarat and Karanataka. Evidence in literature and archaeological remains such as temples and sculptures alone can shed enough light on the Maharashtrian Jain culture.
Jainism travelled from North India to Deccan and had its firm roots here and influenced the life of the people. Jainism gained a large number of followers in Maharashtra also and a large number of monasteries, Caves, temples and religious centres rose in Maharashtra. The Kings who ruled these areas patronised Jainism and the mercantile class sponsored and encouraged Jainism and made donations for the construction and maintenances of temples.
1) Jain Cave Temples: Jain monks also selected the ranges of Sahyadri for meditation. We came across many Jain caves in western Maharashtra. Many scholars are of the opinion that by the end of 7th century Jainism came to Maharashtra. But in the history of ancient Maharashtra the name of two Jain centres and the famous trade routes during Satavahana period were Paithan and Ther. Group of caves are recorded in 9th century B.C. at Ther (Bhomaj 1971: 321). It is believed that the Samavasarana of Lord Mahaveer came to Ther. An ancient Jain temple still survives there. But an inscription carved on a boulder at Pala near Pune in the vicinity of Lonavala reads, Namo Aramhantane, dated 2nd century B.C. on the paleographic basis, proves that since ancient period Jainism existed and flourished in Maharashtra.
A) Nashik District: A Jain cave by name Chamar Cave near Nasik has the sculptures of Rishabhadev dated approximately 11th century. There are Jain caves as well as a large cave dedicated to lord Parshwanatha at Anjangiri, a place 14 kms. from Nasik (Jain 1978: 203-204). Ankai or Tankai is a small place 6 kms. from Manmad station in Nasik district. There are 7 caves to its southern side where the images of Parshwanatha, Santinatha and Jain Dharmachakra are carved on the walls of the caves dated 11th century A.D. B) Aurangabad District: i) Ellora- Ellora has centuries of antecedents and also succeeding monumental remains and other art facts. Ellora
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