Jainism in India

Author(s): Ganesh Lalwani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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JAINISM IN INDIA
had been a great Jaina stronghold from the days of Mahavira Vardhamana, who had personally preached his religion in Kalinga. It is said that Mahavira went to Kalinga as the king of that country was a friend of his father. In the Jaina treatise of Acārānga Sutra there are ample references to Vajjabhumi and Subbhabhumi, the original forms of Bhanjabhumi and Sinhabhumi (Singhbhum). There should be no wonder that there are ample relics of Jainism scattered in Manbhum and Singhbhum districts.
Jaina antiquities in Gaya-The district of Gaya in Patna division is also closely associated with Jainism. Gaya district adjoins Patna district with Rajagrha, Nalanda, Pawapuri and Pataliputra which have important Jaina relics. Even at Buddha Gaya, there is a Jaina shrine. The Jaina relics in Gaya district are scattered.
The Brahmayoni hill to the south of Gaya town has a small figure with a horse on the pedestal, which General Cunningham believed to be most probably a statue of Sambhavanatha, the third Tirthankara. Horse is the cinha of the Tirthankara Sambhavanatha.
The Barabar hills about 19 miles by road to the north of Gaya has a series of delicately excavated caves. The caves are usually associated with the Ajivikas, who were taken to be closely associated with the Jainas. Kharavela came upto the Barabara hill on the wake of a campaign. Thus Barabara hill was a landmark which had to be reached by a Jaina king. Kharavela would not have done so if the Barabara hiii was not a seat of Jainism.
Another important place is Gunawa or Gunwad about two miles from the railway station of Nawada on the road to Bihar-Baktiarpur. It is held by some that Gunawa is a place where Gautama, the chief disciple of Mahavira attained his nirvana. Others consider that Gunawa is a place which Gautama had often visited but he attained his nirvāṇa on Vipulagiri hill at Rajgir At Gunawa stand temples dedicated to Kunthunatha, Vasupujya and Parsvanatha set up at different periods. There is caraṇa-cinha of Gautama Svami and a Jalamandir.
The distant subdivision of Aurangabad in Gaya district bordering Sahabad district has a number of Jaina relics. At Pachar Pahar two miles south-east of Rafiganj there is a cave and a large statue of Parsvanatha and other smaller images. Another important place for the Jainas is Sravak hill situated three miles away from Rafigunj. There is a cave in the hill with a beautiful figure of Parsvanatha.