Jainism in Gujarat

Jainism has had a significant influence in Gujarat.^[1] Practitioners of this religion believe that their 22nd tirthankara (propagators of Jain religion) attained salvation here. Many other monks have also got salvation; especially on the holy mountains of Girnar and Satrunjaya. The Vallabhi Council held in c. 5th century CE.^[2] Their canonical scriptures were written down during this council. King Vanaraja (c. 720-780 CE) of the Cavada dynasty was brought up by a Jain monk named Silaguna Suri.

History

Jain temples are found in Gujarat from as early as the 6th and 7th centuries CE. It was patronized by the Solankis and Chavadas.^[3] Northern Gujarat became a principle center of Jainism in the 13th century CE.^[4]

The earliest known Gujarat text Bharat-bahubali Ras, was written by a Jain monk. Of the most important people in Gujarat's Jain history were the Acharya Hemachandra Suri and his pupil, the Chalukya ruler Kumarpal.

Major Centers

Major ancient Jain centers include:

• Palitana
• Girnar
• Kothara
• Naliya
• Taranga
• Songadh

Notable People

• Amit Shah
• Dilip Doshi
• Gautam Adani

Photo Gallery

• 

  Palitana Jain Temples

• 

  Jain temples in Taranga

• 

  Hutheesing Jain Temple in Ahmedabad

See also

• Kanji Swami
• Palitana Jain Temples

Notes

1. "Jainism". Retrieved 21 January 2016.
2. "Jainism". Retrieved 21 January 2016.
3. "Al-Hind the Making of the Indo-Islamic World". Retrieved 21 January 2016.
4. "Cultural History of India". Retrieved 21 January 2016.

References

• Glasenapp, Helmuth Von (1999), Jainism: An Indian Religion of Salvation, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-1376-6