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JAIN CULTURAL CENTRES IN UTTAR PRADESH
Prof. Dr. Sudeep Kumar Jain
Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyalaya NEW DELHI.
The time frame since Jainism exists in India, there was no district or state like "Uttar Pradesh" as such this is because the historical & cultural heritage of Jainism is traced millions & billions years. Prior to birth of Jesus chief (B.C.) whereas the division of land called "Uttar Pradesh" is as post independence event. Even then after very recently a further division of land (state) Uttar Pradesh took place carving out an another independent state named "Uttar Khand" consisting of hilly region of the state. For this reason the present existing state (remaining position) of Uttar Pradesh and its populated area would be the base for indicating, in brief, the cultural heritage of Jainism in Uttar Pradesh (presently).
Alongwith census of India cultural, religious and politically enriched areas are traced evidencing existence of ancient Jain tradition in Uttar Pradesh. To an extent that eternal birth place of Tirthankaras of Jain Tradition called AYODHYA is found in this very place (state).
This is very famous and ancient most city of North-West Uttar Pradesh even though now at present this city has come to lime light because of Babro-demolition. Never the less, it has proud privilege to be the birth place of many Tirthankaras including the first one of the present series of 24 Tirthankaras named Lord Rishabhdev (Adinath). There is also a popular Jain belief that because of faculty are called "Hunda Avasarfini Kaal" only few Tirthankaras were born in Ayodhya but it is also a belief that generally in set of 24 Tirthankaras many has had their there birth place as Ayodhya. Located on the bank of famous sarya river the nomenclature of this city as "Ayodhya" is because no war has taken place on this soil, hence it is called "AYODHYA" (No war land). This is justified. It is also called historically a “VINITA NAGARI". Besides birth place of Lord Rishabhdev other Tirthankaras such as Lords Ajitnath, Abhinandannath, Sumatinath and Anantanath were also born haere it is also a birth place of Lord Ram.
It was also a capital of then "Koshala State". A great poet Kalidas has described as a capital of "Uttar Koshal" state. One more name is given to this city called "SAKET" and described as such.
It is believed that on the four gates (sides) of Ayodhya city, Jain Images (idols) of 24 Tirthankaras are placed with honour (pratisthit).
The entire area (surrounding region) of Ayodhya was famous in the form of Jain Region (Area) and many Jain dignitaries have widely spread Jain Religion in totality of this area abundantly.
Over and above Ayodhya there are other main regions named "Shravasti" "Kakandi” "Kukutgram" and "Navin Pava" which were in very ancient times famous as Jain centers as also many Jain wealth in the form of Image, Temples and Engraved stones were found.
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