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JAIN PLACES OF PILGRIMAGE.
place where he realized
(v) the emancipation (Nirvån).
Each of these places being thus associated with the life of a Tirthankar, has not only become a place historically important but has been as well a place of pilgrimage sacred to the Jains in general, whether a Swetambari or a Digambari. From remote periods, the Jains built temples at these places which stand even to this day as monumental works of the Jain arts and architecture. These inspire the people with such spirit of awe and veneration that they worship the images installed or foot-prints inscribed therein. Besides these, there are also a good number of big temples erected at different times at enormous costs and they are also held in great esteem. The reader will find translations of some Persian Firmans in the Appendix from which it would be clear that the Swetambar Jains were a powerful community. During the Mahomedan period too exercised persuasive influence over the reigning sovereings from whom they were able to obtain grants of places of pilgrimage throughout the length and breath of India.
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