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HISTORY OF JAINISM IN ORISSA
Dr. Binod Kumar Tiwary Associate Professor Head of the Deptt. Of History
UR College, Rosera - Bihar
In the ancient times, the present state of Orissa or Odisa was known as Kalinga. Nowadays, it is bounded by West Bengal and Jharkhand on the north, Andhra Pradesh on the South, Bay of Bengal on the east and Madhya Pradesh on the west. Geographically, this state is regarded as a state of the eastern region of India, but culturally, it is as much a part of northern India as it is of southern India, Thus, on the religion, language, culture, art and architecture of Odisa. the effects and influence of northern and southern (aryavarta and dakshinavarta) civilization is felt. The mountains and hills as well as the rivers played a very important role in evaluating the history and civilization of this state, as some also contain the religious shrine and abodes. Various tribal people still reside in the hilly and forest areas of Odisa. Likewise most of the religious centers, towns and maritime activities emerged on the banks of the various rivers.
The state of Odisa has been closely associated with Jainism since very early times. The Jain texts declared this part of land within the twenty five and a half countries, where the Jainas could move freely.1 This area is referred in the Jain text as an important part even during the life time of the first Tirthankara Rsabha. It is stated that Rsabhadeva had distributed his whole empire in fifteen janapada, among which one comprised the area of Kalinga. Ancient Odisa had also been linked with the religious activities of Aranatha2, the eighteenth Tirthankara and Parsva3, the twenty third Jina. The twenty-fourth Tirthankara Mahavira has been referred by several Jain texts to have visited various parts of the province of Odisa. It is said that in the eleventh year of monk hood, Mahavira had left Sravasti and proceeded to Hatthasisa4, a place situated in north Kalinga.5
The records say that Mahavira had visited the areas of Tosali6, which was a Jain centre at that time.7 The Jain Harivamsapurana throws a welcome light on the relationship of Mahavira with Kalinga and says that Kalinga king was a friend of the last Tirthankara8 and the latter had visited the land on king's invitation 9. The visit of Mahavira to Udaigiri as well as his preachings there is also testified by an inscription of Hathigumpha of king Kharavela. 10 The Jain texts again inform about a king Karandu or Karakandu, who was ruling in Kalinga in the 6th century B.C.11 He is identified with king Kalinga of the Buddhist texts 12 , who was contemporary to both Mahavira and Buddha. He was a very pious man and a follower of Jain faith.13
The spread of Jainism in this portion of India is revealed by the existence of several Jain centers located at various places. One such centre was known as Pihunda, a port city14, which is identified by modern Pithunda15. Later on, this Pithunda or Pilhunda port became an important centre for Jain sravakas, from where the Jainas used to sail for the propagation of their religion.
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