Jains form less than one percent of the Indian population. For centuries, Jains are famous as community of traders and merchants. The states of Gujarat and Rajasthan have the highest concentration of Jain population in India. The Jain religion is traced to Vardhamana Mahavira (The Great Hero 599-527 B.C.). Mahavira was the twenty-fourth and last of the Jain Tirthankars. Mahavira was born in a ruling family of Vaishali, located in the modern state of Bihar, India. At the age of thirty, Mahavira renounced royal life and devoted himself to the task of discovering the meaning of existence. At the age of 42 he attained enlightenment and spent the rest of his life meditating and preaching Jainism.
Jainism rests on a real understanding of the working of karma, its effects on the living soul and the conditions for extinguishing action and the soul's release. Jainism considers the soul as a living substance that combines with various kinds of non-living matters. The Jain religion rests on complete inactivity and absolute nonviolence (ahimsa) against all living beings. It is evident from the Jain monks and nuns wearing face masks to avoid inhaling small organisms. It is for the same reason all practicing Jains try to remain vegetarians.
The Jain community evolved into two main divisions- the Digambara or "sky-clad" monks do not wear clothes and the Svetambara or "white-clad" monks and nuns, who wear white clothes and carry bowls for collecting food. For centuries Western and southern India have been Jain strongholds. In the mid-1990s, there were about 7 million Jains, the majority of whom live in the states of Maharashtra (mostly in Bombay), Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Karnataka, conventionally a stronghold of Digambaras, also has a considerable Jain community.
Though the Jain shrines include images of the Tirthankars, yet they are not worshiped but remembered and revered. Daily rituals of the Jains may include meditation, bathing the images, offering food, flowers and light lamps for the images. It is interesting to note that the Jains also worship local gods and participate in Hindu or Muslim celebrations without compromising their fundamental path. The Jains celebrate the five major events in the life of Mahavira- conception, birth, renunciation, enlightenment, and final release after death.
Major Jain pilgrimage destinations in India are Palitana, Ranakpur, Shravanbelagola, Dilwara Temple, Khandagiri Caves and Udayagiri Caves.
Some of the Jain Temples in Rajasthan are :
Rikhabdev Rikhabdev was the first Jain Thirthankar. The temple built here is dedicated to him. The Vaishnavas believe that, he was the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple is situated 40 km away from Udaipur. The temple belongs to the Svetambara sect of Jains but at present it is under the control of the of State Government of Rajasthan. The idol is better called Kesariyaji drived from the name kesar or saffron which is put on the forehead of the Lord . The town of Rikhabdev is also called Dhulev by the name of the Bhil tribal Dhula who once protected the idol. The Bhils are very loyal to the Rikhabdevji and call it Kalaji. The idol is believed to very old and is suppose to fulfill the wishes of its devotees.
The Temples at Mount Abu The inscriptions say that, Mount Abu was originally the seat of Saivism. Jainism was introduced here in 11th century only. The Dilwara temples present here are the most important Jain center of India. The first jain temple Vimala Vasahi was built in 1032 A.D. by Vimala Shah, minister of Bhimadeva-I. The Vimala Vasahi temple is the earliest and the most important of the temples here. It is dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Adi Nath. The temple is entirely carved out of white marble.
Chaumukha Temple This 15th century temple also called Adishwar Temple, built by Sheth Dhanna, is the largest and most complex Jain temple in India. This four-faced temple is designed in form of a Nalinigulm Vimana (heavenly aircraft), with three storeys along with several pavilions accomodated on the temple base itself. The temple has 29 halls, 80 domes & pavilions include 1,444 pillars - each of them intricately carved. The carved porticoes around the shrine have a spire adorned with little bells on the top. The inner sanctum is enshrined with a four faced white marble image of Lord Adinath or Rishabhdev, surrounded by several other smaller shrines and domes.
Sri Mahavirji Temple The town of Sri Mahavirji is one the most popular Jain pilgrimages in India for here is one of the holiest Jain temples in Rajasthan. This temple is situated 110 km from Sawai Madhopur. The Shri Mahavirji temple on the banks of the river Gambhir was built in white marble in honour of Mahavira, the 24th Jain saint. A huge statue of Shantinath, one of the Jain fordmakers, stands here at the height of 32 feet, casting a noble eye on disciples below.
Juna Temple The chief claim to fame of Juna is a Jain temple which was built around the 12th or the 13th century. This is known from an inscription carved on a stone pillar situated right adjacent to the temple.This temple is located 42 km from Barmer.
