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JAIN CULTURAL CENTRES IN UTTAR PRADESH
Gupta age, and this work appears to be of 7th 8th century old, as being presumed. Many of the Jain temples have been converted into their residences by the villagers. Here about 1000 or more Jain images are available. It is said that in this area Gand dynasty, Bhoj Dynasty and Chandra Dynasty were ruling over here, and kings of all these dystasties have contributed to the development with dedication. Even in the fields around here, farmers, while operating of ploughing were getting many times Jain images, which were kept secured in local Museums.
PAWAGIRI OR PAVAJI
This location of Pawagiri is in between Jhansi-Lalitpur National Highway and just at a distance of 3 km. This place is situated on a little hillock, surrounded by 'Belna or Chelna', a river of small size. Here relics of vast Jain temple are found in the form of resins and they are famous as "Nayak Ki Gadhi". In Jain tradition, under "Nirwan Kand" this place is described in the form "Siddha Kshetra".
"Suvarna Bhadra adi Muni Char,
Pavagir Par Shikhar Manjar |
Chelna Nadi Teer Ke Paas,
Mukti Gaye, Vandan Nit Tas ||"
Here three Jain temples and a 33 ft. high Manstambha (Honour Pillar) is also there. Further on the hillock Footsteps of four monks including Swarnabhadra are found engraved, and an Umbrella of 30 feet height is placed above these footsteps.
MADANPUR
This region is situated at a distance of 17 km. Southward from the village Madavara Grand under Nahrauni sub-district (Tehsi) of Lalitpur district. It is known that Madavara gram is famous as a principal Jain centre right from ancient period. It is evident from the fact that even today in a small village 11 large and 9 small Jain Temples do exist. World famous Dignified Jain Saint Kshullak Ganesh Prasad Varni was also born in this very village. But Madanpur Region is unique from the Architectural point of view as also for arts besides idols of Jain Temples. In main temple of this place at the centre there is 10 feet high idol of Lord Shantinath, and on both the sides idols of Lord Kunthunath & Aranath are there. This region came into existence in 12th century A.D. several. Inscriptions are also found here. It is said that King Madansen had formed this city and therefore, it is called Madanpur. In a small museum of Archeological Department which exists here, a lot of work is still to be done from development point of view.
BANPUR
This region is at a distance of 54 kms from Lalitpur, where several old and new temples are made. Most important among them is "Sahastrakut Chaityalaya" which is of the height of 12 feet and was constructed in Vikram Samrata 1001. One engraved stone the name of the place is referred as BANPUR. In nearby places in Several villages ancient Jain Temples and images are found.
Besides this, Sironji (6 km away in Eastern direction from Madavara) village. A vast Jain temple was constructed in between period 11th to 13th century. This temple is 50 feet high and is found in old & worn out condition.
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