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JAINISM IN GOA
then. The location was Zuari River, during rescuing operation of grounded barge. The idol was amidst 23 Tirthankaras and was at the centre without head. The posture was that of Kayotsarga (Meditation) and the image was 10.5 cm in height and the base Stone-totalling 73.5 cms.
It is said that the head was mutilated earlier pasted again but broken (detached) in heavy water and remained plunged for a long period. This was revealed in repaort of Archeological survey of India-Directerate. 2. JAINISM ENTERED GOA IN 580-750 A.D. PERIOD.
During period stated above, Chalukyas and their fendatory kings Silharas ruled Goa, marks the entry point of Jainism in Goa. There were subsequent expansion of Jainism through Rashtrakatas and Kadambas (Fendatories) fostering it. Several big & small kings were ruled by Jain Kings and Sardars, making Jainism popular in Goa. With further expansion of Jainism in Southern India, Goa too had a share of making Jainism popular. Many more Jain Temples were erected (constructed). Nageshi Bandiwade in Ponda Taluka, known as Neminath Tirth, is one such example. Dharbandore is another snell place, where Jainwade is at the slope of hill near Saptakoteshwar Temple. Jainwado is also there in village of Narva too in Bicholim Taluka. Many idols of Jain deities are found in well to protect against destruction by foreign invaders / rulers.
There is a scripture of Lord Mahavir signifying its symbol Lion (Lanchhan) in idol accompanied by two attendents Diadaika, a female & Malang. During 12th & 13th centuries levish decorations were found. In Akola engraving of 24 Tirthankaras were embossed and preserved in Baroda Museum.
All these above proves that Jainism is not correctly dated in thirteenth century as claimed, to have given Mahavir Nomenclature by Archieves Dept. in Sancoale findings. This view of existence of Jainism in Goa prior to Thirteenth Century i.e. between 580-750 A.D. is also shared by that R. V. Chakravarthy Researcher of Jain cosmology. Discovery of mystic circle with symbolic representation connected with the mythical cosmographical diagram of Jamboodweep was found behind two images of Jain Tirthankaras other than Lord Mahavira. On top of hill of alchemists at Konakonda of Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Chakravarti has been researching in Goa for over 2 months and inspected ruins of temples at Bandiwade, Jain Gurdu Morjim, Arambol and Torshan. Muslims & Portuguese destroyed Jain temples and replaced with Mosque & Churches respectively which led to the decline of Jain relics in Goa. Jainism was popular in Hindus as they adopted Jain Deities Mahalakshmi and established their possession. 3. GOA HOLD KEYS TO INDUS CIVILISATION.
An accidental finding in Goa by Mr. R. V. Chakravarti has provided what could well be the missing link that would throw light on the ancient pre historic period Indus valley civilisation at Harappa & Mohan-jo-Dero in Sind-Punjab. This researcher in Jain cosmology was trying to find the secret enterance to the laterite rock cut cave in Savoi-Verem where 12 Sumerian signs had been reportedly seen earlier when he came across ancient stone weapons and megalithic stone burials.
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