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Jaina Ethics and Miscellaneous Customs and Manners
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Jainas and their temples, according to them, have been converted by force into Hindu temples.215 In this way even though the Jainas had to lose their Tirthakshetras, still at present they have quite a large number of them which are situated in most lovely places throughout the length and breadth of India. The strength of Digambara Jaina Tirthakshetras is about one hundred and twentyfive216 all over India and the number of Svetambara Jaina Tirthakshetras may come to that figure.217
The rift between the Digambara and Svetambara is evident in the matter of Tirthakshetras also. There are few Tirthakshetras like Sammedasikhara, Pāvāpura, Giranāra, Satruñjaya, etc. which are accepted by both the sects. But there are many others which are accepted by either of the two sects. The Digambaras alone approve the Tīrthakshetras like Gajapantha, Kunthalagirī, Māngitungi, Badavāni, Śravanabe!go!a, etc. while Śvetāmbaras have their own Tirthakshetras like Abu mountain,. Sankheśvara, Kulfāka, etc. The division has not only stopped with this. In respect of the Tirthakshetras of common allegiance both the sects vociferously put forward their claims of ownership and right to worship according to their own rituals, and crores of rupees have been spent uptill now by them in legally establishing their respective claims. As a result in some places fixed time is allowed to both the sects to worship according to their own practices. Thus at the Tīrthakshetra of Antariksha Pārsvanātha at Shirpur in Akola district in Mahārashtra the Svetāmbaras have to worship from 6 a. m. to 9 a. m. and from 12 a.m. to 3p.m. and the Digambaras from 9 a.m. to 12 2.m. and from 3 p. m. to 6 p. m.218
As the Jaina Tīrthakshetras are famous for their beauty and grandeur all over India, we shall describe, in brief, only a few of the most outstanding Tirthckshetras. 219 (1) Sammeda śikhara :
It is the most ancient and sacred place of pilgrimage of all Jainas. Every true Jaina considers himself fortunate if he visits the place at least once in his life. The Sammeda śikhara mountain is situated in the Hazaribagh District of Bihar State. Excluding Lord Rshabhadeva, Vāsupujya, Neminātha and Mahāvīra, the remaining twenty Tirthankaras realised emancipation on this mountain. In honour of the twenty-third Tīrthankara, Lord Pārsvanātha,
