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RELIGION & CULTURE OF THE JAINS
Jaina cave temples, with inscribed Jaina images in them, dating from the fifth century A.D. Situated a few kilometres from Vidisā, Sanchi is famous for its Buddhist tope, but the place is also said to be associated with Jainism.
Campapura: (in Bhagalpur district of Bihar), birthplace of Vāsupūjya, the 12th Tirthankara; the capital of the Anga country in ancient times; was visited by Mahāvīra. The Mandaragiri hill situated close by, marks the site where Vāsupujya practised austerities, got enlightenment and attained nirvāṇa.
Kampilya: (in district Farrukhabad of U.P.), birthplace of Vimalanatha, the 13th Tirthankara, place also visited by Mahāvīra; has two modern temples.
Ratnapuri: (mod. Ronahi in district Faizabad of U.P), birthplace of the 15th Tirthankara Dharmanatha; has two small temples.
Hastinapur: (in district Meerut of U.P), birthplace of Śanti, Kunthu and Ara, respectively the 16th, 17th and 18th Tirthankaras; the capital of the kingdom of the Kurus in ancient times, a very old city now almost quite deserted; associated also with the first and the last Tirthankaras and several other important events of Jaina history; possesses a big temple about two hundred years old, another fine temple about a century old, and five small shrines standing on different mounds in the forest, within a distance of some 7 kilometres; the place was once famous for its five Jaina stūpas (topes) which are
now no more.
Mithilapurī: (in district Darbhanga of Bihar), birthplace of Mallinatha and Naminātha, respectively the 19th and 21st Tirthankaras; the place was once famous as the home of the Videha Janakas and their spiritualistic philosophy of the Upanisads.
