________________
Development & Impact of Jainism in India & Abroad
30
JAIN RELIGION & CULTURE IN HARIYANA STATE
Dr. Ranjana Jain Researh Scholar - Prakrit Litreture- Delhi
After a number of years of independence of India, Haraiyana State came into existence. It is just a coincidence that this Hariyana state is neither a birthplace of any Jain tirthankar or that of any other religious head. This state primarily being agricultural oriented, there in no evidence of any ancient jain culture over here. Not only that of jains, there are findings of any other ancient cultural activities here.In spite of that we find jains residing over here in ancient and newly formed cities. Jain religion has been spread here with the help of Jain temples and Stanaks. It has been a place of vihar travel) area for ascetics ( sadhu and sadhaviji) of both the sects.
The information regarding the spreading and preaching of jain culture and other activities in the main cities of modern Hariyana State is somewhat as follows:
GUDGAON :
The original name is "GURUGRAM". It was anmed after the name of Guru Dronacarya, the legendary guru of Kaurava and of pandava of Mahabharat. It is said that Guru Dronacarya had his Ashram over here, wherein Kaurava and Pandava had learned many arts and vidyas. There are many Jain temples, new as well as ancient, in the modern Gudgaon city. Among Jain cultural centres Jain dispensary ,and social service centres, Panchayati Digamber Jain Temple and Dharasala and Jain Stanak are famous. "Parasvastali" jain temple which is situated on National Highway No.8, is worth notable among modern temples.
SIRSA :
Its ancient name was "Sarasvatipattan". In ancient time this place had been a famous centre of Jain studies. Even today we find some old and new jain temples and dharmasalas and jain schools over here.
KURUKSHETRA:
This place has been the famous for being the battlefield of Mahabharat war between Pandava and Kauravas. Because of "Gita" this is also world famous pious place. Kauravas and Pandavas have been connected well with the jain culture. So this place must have been a centre of jain culture in the ancient period. This is a subject of research and historical findings. At present near to "Brahma sarovar" there is a Digamber jain temple, which is a centre place for venerators ( shrddhalu ). There are some jain sthanaks in the old Kurukhsetra city.
AMBALA:
Today this city is famous as a Military Cantonment. Similarly it is famous for "Atmananda Jain Collage" which is the most famous and popular centre of education. Many famous personalities have had their early education over here. This place is also notable for being the centre of creation of jain literature by jain ascetics of different sects.
210
