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1JAIN CULTURAL CENTRES IN UTTAR PRADESH
changed to Northward direction instead of Southward. Souripur is also believed to be the birth place of great famous Donor Karna of Mahabharat age. Also, it is being said that well known Jain Acharya Prabhachandra created his famous volume "Prameyamartanda" in this very city of Souryapur. This city is presently located towards South Eastern direction from Agra near "Vateshwar" town under 'Bah' sub district.
In this Region (area) many places such as East of Lord Parshwanath Badagaon, Chandrabar and Marshalganj etc. are located, which are from very ancient times considered to be the centres of Jain Religion and culture. This has its own historical important from Jain point of view, but due to short sightedness it is just casually being referred nominally.
AHICHHATRA
"Ahichhatra" is a famous city located in "Panchal" colony (Junpada) of Uttar Pradesh which has been a centre of Jain culture from very ancient times. Near Moradabad, a famous Brass city of Uttar Pradesh, there is a sub colony (Kasba) named Amla. Where relics of Archeological type related to Mahabharat age have been found. According to Jain Tradition this area is considered to be the famous place of penance and omniscience of 23rd Tirthankar Lord Parshwanath. Here Lord Parshwanath had to face, under his monkhood, oppressive violence torture by his staunch enemy of past several births named Kamath. Such oppression are fatal in normal course, but Lord faced it bravely to make his efforts failed. It is said that a protection cover was provided by his effected devotee deities by taking form of (twin) Serpent couple in way that blows do not harm the Lord. They extended hood over his body. Because of this incident the name of this area is popularly known as Ahichhatra. In one more series of event there is a role of Acharya Kesari who solved doubts about presumption and evidence in the temple of Lord Parswanath, located here. The mention of reference of this event was available in volume "Mallisen Prasasti" of Shravana Belagola. It is said that by sitting here Acharya Patra Keshari wrote an important volume titled 'Trilakshan Kadarthan' on the subject of Jain Nyaya. During Mahabharata times Dronacharya was believed to be the King of Ahichhatra.
During excavation by Archeological Department here one idol of Yaksha and clay coin was found which belong to second century A.D. on both these items name of Ahichhatra was found engraved. In ancient times Ahichhatra was a vast city and was capital Panchal Region. According to the Chinese Pilgrim Hue-en-Tsang at that time the city was spread in three miles, and many Buddhist Monuments were also existed there. At present here only one small village is found to exist. However old & new Jain Temples exist even today. Items found from here are of antique nature and have been well preserved in State (Government) Museum at Lucknow. KAMPILAJI
There is a small village named Kampilaji which is located in Kayamganj sub-district (Tehsil) of Farrukhabad Dist. in Uttar Pradesh. Kampilaji is at a distance of 8 kms. from Kayamganj. According to Jain belief, in this town Lord Vimalnath, the Thirteenth Tirthankar of Jain Tradition had Four Kalyanak viz. Chyavan (conception) Birth, Penance and omniscience were held here. Here there is a small Tilla (Stone seat Sheela) called "Aghatiya Tilla". According to Jain
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