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120: JAINS TODAY IN THE WORLD
We will also mention in this State Jain temples and sacred places at: Ajari, Arungakulam, Birudur, Elangadu, Kanchipuram, Karungalagudi, Kollathur, Mudalur, Nelliangulam, Peramalam, Polal, Thayanur, Veedur, Vembakkam, Vijayamangalam, Viranamur, Yanaimalai etc.
This enumeration may be extended, due to the fact that Jains have many remains of their historic and present existence in this State, but as we have said our list is not exhaustive. We will stop here for Tamil Nadu and all India.
Note that one of the most Jain sacred places is the mythic Mount Astāpada (Mount Kailāśa) in the Himalaya, now in China, where Rsabha, the first Tirthankara, attained his liberation. A beautiful Jain temple is under construction near, at Badri.
3. Their temples in other parts of the world
During the XX century, as we have said, a number of lay Jains departed from India to other countries of the world for various reasons and especially economical ones. They created communities and those who revere statues built temples. These temples are either shared with Hindus or used only by the Jains. Some are modest chapels, others are beautiful edifices erected according to Indian styles. In all the great cities in the world where dwell now important Jain communities performing the cult in sanctuaries, they have in general their own temples either in towns or in sites near. It is the case in Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
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In Africa
There are Indian lay Jain communities in the main cities of Southern and Eastern Africa.
In Southern Africa, we find lay Jain communities with temples in Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria, etc.
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