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"JAINISM IN BENGAL"
Pundravandhana, during the 11th centuries.
Till date the exploration of the history of Jainism is not enough because in the Indian history, the historic elements related to Jainism is underestimated. In other words, it is paid less imparlance than any other religious components. The modern historians either concealed or changed the accounts of many republican rulers, Jain commanders or people drowned in Jaina thoughts and culture. Dr. D.C. Sen elaborated more about Bengal in his book 'Brihatbanga'-- "The Brahmin were responsible for wiping out Jainism from Bengal. Jain temples were converted into Hindu temples and even some of the deities who were widely worshipped were given Hindu names and worshipped as Hundu Gods without acknowledgement of their Jaina origin. "It took place not only in Bengal, but also in every other states Assam, adjacent to Bengal also, because least excavation activities have been conducted there.
Only few evidences have been gathered from there are seuen tonks of various sizes on the Surya mountain of Assam. So, the local people call it 'Santhali'. Idols of two Tirthankaras were inscribed in a cave of Santhali or Surya Mountain. One of them is Bhagwan Padmaprabhu' while the other is the idol of 'Bhagwan Rishavdev' or 'Bhagwan Shantinath'. In another cave near this, there is a Goddess of twelve hands along with other Gods. Goddesses. Most probably this idol is of the ruling God--Devi Chakreshwari, worshipped by Rishavdev. More and more evidences of Jaina Archeology can be achieved from this place after extensive research work and excavation.
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