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there, his mind remains exhilarated and effused with pious feelings. This is the importance of places of pilgrimage.
In Jain society there are four categories of pilgrimage centers – 1. Nirvana or Siddha kśetra or a place where some Tīrthankara or ascetic attained nirvana. 2. Kalyāņaka kśetra or a place where any of the auspicious events (kalyāṇaka) in the life of a Tirthankara was celebrated. These include garbha (descent or conception), janma (birth), dīkšā (initiation), and Kevala-jñāna (omniscience). 3. Atiśaya kśetra or a place where miracles or supernatural activities are observed. 4. Kalā Tirtha or places where ancient temples filled with exemplary works of art exist.
SIDDHA KŚETRA
The number of Nirvana Kśetras in the country is limited. There are only five places where Tirthankaras attained nirvana - Kailash (Aştāpada), Campāpurī, Giranāra, Pāvāpurī, and Sammeda Sikhara. Besides Bhagavāna Ķşabhadeva innumerable ascetics attained nirvana at Kailash. These also include Munirāja Bharata, Bāhubalī, Bhāgiratha, and Bālī. Bhagavāna Vāsupūjya attained nirvana at Campāpurī. At Giranāra, besides Bhagavāna Neminātha, Krsna's sons Pradyumna, Sambukumāra, Aniruddhakumāra, etc. also attained nirvana. Pāvāpuri is the place of Bhagavāna Mahāvīra's nirvana. All the remaining twenty Tīrthankaras attained nirvana at Sammeda Sikhara.
Besides these nirvana-places of Tirthankaras there are ojher places where many ascetics attained nirvana after their spiritual practices. The statewise list is as follows -
Uttara Pradesa - Sauripura and Kākandī. Dhanya, Yama, and Alasatkumāra got liberated at Sauripura and Muni Abhayaghośa at Kākandi.
Orissa - Khaņdagiri-Udayagiri. Here Jitaśatru Munirāja got nirvāṇa on Kumārī hills.
Bihar – Patnā, Rājagriha, and Guņāvā. Sudarśana Muni got liberated at a place called Kamaladaha in Pațnā. The eleven Gañadharas of Bhagavāna Mahāvīra, Jambūkumāra, Jīvandhara Kumāra,
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