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JAIN RELIGION IN KACHCHH (Gujrart)
Antiquity, Propagation & Expansion
Dr. Kashyap M Trivedi
University of KACHCHH
From historical point of view in context to Jain religion we reach to the extent of Hadappan culture. Bhadreshvar tirth ( pilgrimage place ) which was built in 23rd Vir year is the evidential support for it. So it is very clear that the jain religion existed in Kachchh in that period. Along with the time it has faced many ups and downs. It is being preserved by the efforts of saints, religious scholars and the support of religious minded royal kings.
An inscription dated back to 2nd - 3rd cent. A.D. which was found the village Dolatpur in the Lakhpat district and is kept in the Kachchh museum mentions the name of king Ishwerdeo. This existed during the period of Abhirs. As per Dr. Rushesh Jaminder this is the oldest jain inscription. Over and above to these, the paintings along with the Kalpasutra of 16th 17th ,18th cent.A.D., the manuscript of Sangrhani, the Sangrhanisutra of 19th cent. A.D. etc. very clearly show the existence of jain religion in Kachchh since ancient period.
About 450 -500 years back, one Gorji ( similar to Brahmin priest) Shree Manek Merji from a village Tharwada near Dhangdhara,set his strong spear to Raoshree Khengarjibawa and said this will help you to establish peace in Kachchh, and said you have a bright future. It was sent to Bhuj. When peace was established, he called him in Bhuj and constructed a Poshal in Bhuj. In sucession by tradition Gorji Shree Bhadramerji is handling this at present. 10 At present Shree Pravin Merji is in charge. He said that it has been reconstructed after the devasting earthquake.
Venerable (pujya ) shri Karsanji swami,the disciple of pandit shree Indrji Maharaj,came to Kachchh and propagated skoti tradition. Thus 8 koti sect started in Kachchh. In the year Samvat 1782, pujyasri Bhagwanjiswami ,came and there after pujyasri Indrajiswami etc came to Kachchh.They carried on the sect of 8 koti. In the course of time this sect splitup in two sects, viz Moti and Nani (bigger and smaller ).11
At the request of the Nagarseth Shri Kalyanji of Kachchh Mandvi, pujyashri Ajara amarji swami came to Kachchh .In the years Samvat 1836-37-and 38, as such for three years he moved in Kachchh, preached proper religion and thus removed blindfaith from the minds of jain shravaks. During the same time some followers of Murtipujak ( jain believers of idol worshipping ) got a charter made by king that these monks should not be allowed to stay in Bhuj. But with the help of intellectual mode of presentation of Shri Wagha Parekh, it was nullified and so pujya swamiji stayed for Chaturmas (monsoon period ) in Bhuj. Of the same sect by tradition pujyashri Devrajswami of Kandagara in samvat 1841, pujyasri Kanjiswami of Gundala- Kachchh in the year samvat 1891, pujashri Nathujiswami of Rapar-Kachchh in the year samvat 1937, pujyashri Dipchandjiswami of Gundala-Kachchh etc. acarya bhagvant had been in Kachchh. Jain community
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