There are several Jain relics spread across Pakistan.

There are several Jain relics spread across Pakistan.

Professor Noel King, Professor Emeritus of History & Comparative Religion of University of California Santa Cruz had visited Pakistan briefly late last year and has kindly forwarded details of his finds of Jain relics. He had made a detailed visit several years ago but had to leave in a hurry due to bad health. Last year's visit was very brief and details given are a little scanty neverthless interesting.                                               The so called Jaina Stupa at Taxila Valley Taxila is one of the most important archeological sites of Asia located along the Silk route in Punjab Province of Pakistan. It flourished during the 1st to 5th century AD when it became famous as a major seat of learning of Buddhism. The Stupa shown above is located near the city of Sirkap (severed head) along side many other Buddhist relics. A request has been made to find out why it is called the Jaina Stupa but no information has been forthcoming. *** The Lahore Museum has a fine collection of Jain relics mainly of the material collected from the city of Gujranwala and Darkhana. It is believed that Mr Raghavji Virchand Gandhi, the first person to represent Jainism abroad and who attended the first Parliament of World Religions in 1893 in Chicago was supported by the Jain center from this area. The following murtis are all on display at the Lahore Museum, unfortunately the quality of photographs is not very good and it is difficult to identify the symbol (lancchan) on any of the murtis. Photos: CourtesyPakistan Tourist Development Corporation A murti with damaged eye and broken arms. It was the tradition of the Muslim raiders to deface the murtis and cut the arms as a sign of 'victory'. http://jainism.a.googlepages.com/jainrelicsinpakistan more pictures special Jain Temple from Thar Desert Pakistan An example of another complete murti. The inscription underneath is in Urdu. On the road from Rawalpindi to Lahore in the Pothohar area, there are so-called 'Kafir Kots', ruins of old temples. No details of these temples are available but the architecture seems to be Jain. On a near by hill top about 2000 ft high there is a small lake called Shiva Tears for Sati. There are ruins along the hill side up to the top and sorrounding the lake. Many of the building look like monasteries. There is a Shiva statue in the temple in the photograph below but Prof King suspects that the statue may have been of a tirthankar and that a Jain temple was converted to a Hindu temple.                        Just a few dozen meters from the Shrine of the Double-Headed Eagle sits the Jain Stupa, a relic of the Sirkap city period (2nd century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D.).  The shrine is badly ruined.  Nothing of the superstructure survives.  The persepolitan columns with lion ornamentation that sit on the four corners were brought here from the ruins of the courtyard.  A Jain sanctuary in Taxila, looking like a stupa. LIST OF JAIN TEMPLES IN PAKISTAN  Punjab Province S. NO. TOWN LOCATION OF TEMPLE PRESIDING DEITY REMARKS 1. LAHORE a) Jain Shwetamber Temple with Shikhar Thari Bhabrian Lahore City b) Jain Digamber Temple with Shikhar Thari Bhabrian Lahore City c) Jain Shwetamber Dada Bari (Mini Temple) Guru Mangat in Lahore Cantt. Foot Prints in stone d) Jain Digambar Temple with Shikhar Old Anarkali 2. KASUR( (District Lahore, distance 50, K.M. from Lahore) Jain Shwetamber Temple with Shikar Kot Rukun Din Lord Rishabh Dev 3. GUJRANWALA (Distance 70 K.M. from Lahore) a) Jain Shwetamber Temple with Shikhar Bazar Bhabrian Lord Chintamani Parshva Nath b) jain Shwetamber Ghar Mandir Samadhi of Jain Acharya Atamaramji Maharaj with a large Dome Opposite Camping Ground i.e. PARARO, G. T. Road Lord Vasupujya & Foot Prints of Acharya Atma Ramji Images & Foot Prints & Wood Work since removed to Lahore Museum. c) Jain Shwetamber (Ghar Mandir) Precincts of S.A. Jain Gurukul (School) G. T. Road, Near Village Kangniawaka 4. PAPNAKHA (District Gujranwala, Distance 20 K.M. from Gujaranwala) Jain Shwetamber Ghar Mandir Village Proper Lord Suvidha Nath 5. RAM NAGAR (District Gujranwala, Distance 50 K.M. from Gujaranwala) Jain Shwetambar Temple with Shikhar Gali Bhabrian Lord Chintamani Parshva Nath 6. SIALKOT (Distance 115 K.M. from Lahore a) Jain Shwetamber Temple with Shikhar Near Namak Mandi in City b) Jain Digamber Temple Cantonment 7. NORWAL (District Sialkot, distance 40 K.M. from Sialkot) Jain Shwetamber Temple with Shikhar 8. SANKHATRA (District Sialkot, Distance 50 K.M. from Sialkot) Jain Shwetamber Temple with Shikhar 9. JHELUM CITY (Distance 160 K.M. from Lahore on G. T. Road) Jain Shwetamber Ghar Mandir Bagh Mohalla Lord Chandra Prabhu 10. PINID DADAN KHAN (District Jhelum via Lala Moosa, distance 160 K.M.) Jain Shwetamber Tempe Town Proper Lords Sumati Nath, Rishabh Dev & Shanti Nath 11. BHERA (District Sargodha, via Lala Moosa, distance 150 K.M. from Lahore Jain Shwetamber Temple Gali Bhabrian Lord Chandra Prabhu About 500 years old 12. KHANGA DOGRAN (District Sheikhupura, Distance 70 K.M. from Lahore) Jain Shwetamber Temple With Shikhar Lord Shantinath & Lord Parshva Nath 13. MULTAN (Distance 250 K.M. from Lahore enroute to Karachi) a) Jain Shwetamber Tempe with Shikhar Mohalla Choori Sarai Images shifted to Mumbai b) Jain Shwetamber Dadawari Jain Bhawan Near Ram Kila Ground Mohalla Choori Sarai Foot Prints in stone c) Jain Digambar Tempe with Shikhar Mohalla Choori Sarai Images shifted to Jaipur d) Jain Digambar Tempe with Shikhar Cantonment Sindh Province S. NO. TOWN LOCATION OF TEMPLE PRESIDING DEITY REMARKS 1. KARACHI  a) Jain Shwetamber Temple with Shikhar Ranchod Line Lord Parshva Nath b) Jain Digamber Temple 2. VILLAGE DERAWER (Tehsil Dera Nawab, Bhahawlpur State) Jain Shwetamber Dadawari Crimination site of Jain Samadhi Dada Guru Jin Kushal Suriji on a sand and an Inn. 3. HYDERABAD Jain Shwetamber Temple Town Proper 4. NEW HALLA (Mirpur Khas Road) a) Jain Shwetamber Temple Town Proper b) Jain Dadawari (Mini Temple) 2 K.M. from Halla Town Foot Prints in Stone 5. GAURI PARSHVANATH VILLAGE Jain Shwetamber Temple Village Proper Lord Gauri Parshvanath North West Frontier Province S.NO. TOWN LOCATION OF TEMPLE 1. DERA GHAZI KHAN Jain Digambar Temple Block No. 2, Jain Mohalla 2. KALA BAGH (District Mainwali) Jain Shwetamber Temple 3. LATAMBER (District Bannu) Jain Shwetamber Temple 4. BANNU Jain Swetamber Temple Bannu City 5. RAWAL PINDI (Distance 300 K.M. from Lahore) Jain Shwetamber Temple Cantonment Jainism has started spreading its tentacles outside India in the middle of 19th century. However its traces could be found there even in the early period. it is found that Auradhapura a place of pilgrimage in Srilanka islands and an abode of Buddhism  with viharas, was also a place of Jaina Basadis. Further Janakapuri (Mithilanagari) in Nepal were historically the birth place of Bhagawan Sri Neminatha and Sri Mallinatha, the 22nd and 19th Tirthankaras and thus possibly was the bed of Jainism. Sri Vishvambaranatha Pandyae who was the governor of Orissa has mentioned Leningrad and Tashkent in Russia showed the heritage of Jainism. Jain saint Muni Manibhadra visited Tashkent. A Jain idol belonging to the 16-17th century was found during excavation in a place called Astrakan near caspian sea of Soviet Union. Dukobarsi, an ethnological group in Russia in 18th century were known for following the principles of Jainism (Peace and Non Violence).     It is said that Jainism  was found in specks  in Egypt - Babylon, Alexandria and Greece. The idols, inscriptions, copper plates and picturesque documentations narating the heritage of Jainism are found in the museums of Switzerland, East Gremany, England, America and Denmark. The ardent followers of Jainism (Digambara, Swethambara, Sthanikavasi, Terapanthi and Oswal) have constructed many temples in Afro-Asian and European countries in the recent past. Kenya, Japan, Canada, West Germany, Britain, Singapore and America. The beckon of ahimsa and the axioms of Jaina principles have spread all over the globe striving for the cause of humanity.   Jainism crossed India from South India at about eighth century B.C., if not earlier, and become one of the most important religions of Ceylon, which was known in those days by the name of Lanka, Ratnadvipa or Simhala. The Mahavamsa (10.65-70; 33. 43-79) refers to the existence of Jainism in Ceylon even before the arrival of Buddhism. According to it, Pandukabhaya built a house at Anuradhapur for the Nigantha Jotiya and Giri and some more Niganthas, Jain tradition takes the history of Jainism in Ceylon even prior to its Aryanization, or the Arrival of the Aryans. Ravana, a king of Lanka long ago is said to have erected a Jain temple there at Trikutagiri. Another statue of Parsvanatha, the 23rd Jina found in the caves of Terapur is also said to be from Srilanka. Jainism was a living religion of Srilanka up to the 10th A.D.  Kalakacarya, another Jain monk, is said to have visited Burma or Svarnabhumi (Uttaradhyayana Niryukti, 120). Rsabhadeva is said to have traveled to Bali (Bacteria), Greece, Svarnabhumi, Panhave (Iran), etc. (Avasyaka Niryukti, 336-37). Tirthankara Parsvnatha also went to Nepal. The existence of Jainism can also be proved in Afghanistan. Tirthankara images in the Kayotsarga, or meditating pose have been found in Vahakaraj Emir (Afghanistan). Digambara Jain monks have been in Iran, Siam, and Philistia31. Greek writers also mention their existence in Egypt, Abyssinia and Ethyopia32. It had also propagated in Kabul, Campa, Bulgaria and some other foreign countries. If anyone has access to more accurate information on jainism in Pakistan please let us know.

WHY TO VISIT TEMPLES ? (Scientific Reason)

WHY TO VISIT TEMPLES ?

(Scientific Reason)

There are thousands of temples all over India in different size, shape and locations but not all of them are considered to be built the Vedic way. Generally, a temple should be located at a place where earth's magnetic wave path passes through densely. It can be in the outskirts of a town/village or city, or in middle of the dwelling place, or on a hilltop. The essence of visiting a temple is discussed here.

Now, these temples are located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust. The main idol is placed in the core center of the temple, known as "*Garbhagriha*" or *Moolasthanam*. In fact, the temple structure is built after the idol has been placed. This *Moolasthanam* is where earth’s magnetic waves are found to be maximum. We know that there are some copper plates, inscribed with Vedic scripts, buried beneath the Main Idol. What are they really? No, they are not God’s / priests’ flash cards when they forget the *shlokas*. The copper plate absorbs earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the surroundings. Thus a person regularly visiting a temple and walking clockwise around the Main Idol receives the beamed magnetic waves and his body absorbs it. This is a very slow process and a regular visit will let him absorb more of this positive energy. Scientifically, it is the positive energy that we all require to have a healthy life.

Further, the Sanctum is closed on three sides. This increases the effect of all energies. The lamp that is lit radiates heat energy and also provides light inside the sanctum to the priests or *poojaris* performing the pooja. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers takes a worshipper into trance, thus not letting his mind waver. When done in groups, this helps people forget personal problems for a while and relieve their stress. The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor give out the chemical energy further aiding in a different good aura. The effect of all these energies is supplemented by the positive energy from the idol, the copper plates and utensils in the *Moolasthan*am / *Garbagraham*. *Theertham*, the “holy” water used during the pooja to wash the idol is not
plain water cleaning the dust off an idol. It is a concoction of Cardamom,*Karpura* (Benzoin), zaffron / saffron, *Tulsi* (Holy Basil), Clove, etc...Washing the idol is to charge the water with the magnetic radiations thus increasing its medicinal values. Three spoons of this holy water is distributed to devotees. Again, this water is mainly a source of magneto-therapy. Besides, the clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & *Tulsi* leafs protects one from common cold and cough, cardamom and *Pachha Karpuram* (benzoin), act as mouth fresheners. It is proved that *Theertham* is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energized. Hence it is given as *prasadam* to the devotees. This way, one can claim to remain healthy by regularly visiting the Temples. This is why our elders used to suggest us to offer prayers at the temple so that you will be cured of many ailments. They were not always superstitious. Yes, in a few cases they did go overboard when due to ignorance they hoped many serious diseases could be cured at temples by deities. When people go to a temple for the *Deepaaraadhana*, and when the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the persons who are there. The water that is sprinkled onto the assemblages passes on the energy to all. This also explains why men are not allowed to wear shirts at a few temples and women are requested to wear more ornaments during temple visits. It is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed by the women. Also, it is a practice to leave newly purchased jewels at an idol’s feet and then wear them with the idol’s blessings. This act is now justified after reading this article. This act of “seeking divine blessings” before using any new article, like books or pens or automobiles may have stemmed from this through mere observation.

Energy lost in a day’s work is regained through a temple visit and one is refreshed slightly. The positive energy that is spread out in the entire temple and especially around where the main idol is placed, are simply absorbed by one's body and mind. Did you know, every Vaishnava(Vishnu devotees), “must” visit a Vishnu temple twice every day in their location. Our practices are NOT some hard and fast rules framed by 1 man and his followers or God’s words in somebody’s dreams. All the rituals, all the practices are, in reality, well researched, studied and scientifically backed thesis which form the ways of nature to lead a good healthy life.

The scientific and research part of the practices are well camouflaged as “elder’s instructions” or “granny’s teaching’s” which should be obeyed as a mark of respect so as to once again, avoid stress to the mediocre brains.

AGNIPRAVESH : To Close KatalKhana near Palitana

Green Giriraj

GODIJI TEMPLE 200 YEARS CELEBRATION

   

Never before seen 18 day celebration.
 
Almond Sweet Mithai already delivered to 135000 homes all over Mumbai and figure still going higher
 
Ladoo delivered to 10000 households around Pyhonie area
 
Thousand of kilos of wheat rice daal and cooking oil to be used
·       150000 Kilo of mango pulp
·       30000 kilo wheat flour
·       24000 kilo basmati rice
·       10000 kilo tuver daal
·       16000 kilo vaal daal
·       16000 kilo dhokla flour
·       3000 kilo cooking oil
·       2000 kilo red chilli
·       125 cooks to work
·       20000 workers
 
At 125 different locations all over Mumbai 800000 people will be fed dinner
 
All food including mango processing to be made fresh everyday according to Jain rules.
 
Govt of India to release a special Rs 5/- postal stamp for this 200^th celebration
 
Everyday there will be Jeevdaya and Anukampa donations


   
         

કોણ કેવી રીતે કેવલજ્ઞાન પામ્યા......?

કોણ કેવી રીતે કેવલજ્ઞાન પામ્યા......?

(1) મરૂદેવા માતા - હાથી ઉપર બેઠા બેઠા.

(2) પૃથ્વીચંદ્ર - સિંહાસન ઉપર બેઠા બેઠા.

(3) ગુણસાગર - હસ્ત મેળાપ વખતે.

(4) વલ્કલચિરિ - પાત્ર પડિલેહણ કરતાં કરતાં.

(5) રતિસાર કુમાર - પત્ની ને શણગાર સજતાં.

(6) ભરત મહારાજા - અરીસા ભવન માં અનિત્ય ભાવના ભાવતાં.

(7) ઈલાચી કુમાર - દોરીપર નાચતાં નાચતાં.

(8) અષાઢાભૂતિ - નાટક કરતાં.

(9) સાધ્વી શ્રી પુષ્પચૂલા - ગોચરી લાવતાં લાવતાં.

(10) અર્ણિકાપુત્ર - નદીપાર કરતાં કરતાં.

(11) અઈમુત્તા મુનિ - ઇરિયાવહી કરતાં કરતાં.

(12) કુરગડુ મુનિ - આહાર કરતાં અને સાથે તપસ્વીઓની અનુમોદના કરતાં.

(13) નાગકેતુ - પ્રભુની પુષ્પપૂજા કરતાં કરતાં.

(14) પ્રસન્નચંદ્ર રાજર્ષિ - કાર્યોત્સર્ગ ધ્યાનમાં.

(15) કૂર્માંપુત્ર - ઘરમાં બેઠા બેઠા.

(16) બાહુબલીજી - નાના ભાઈઓને વંદન માટે પગ ઉઠાવતાં.

(17) મેતાર્ય મુનિ - ચામડાના પટ્ટાથી મસ્તક તુટતાં,આંખો બહાર નીકળતાં.

(18) ઢંઢણ મુનિ - ગોચરી પરઠવતાં પરઠવતાં.

(19) સ્કંદકસુરિ ના ૪૯૯ શિષ્ય - ઘાણી માં પીલાતા પિલાતા.

(20) પુણ્યાઢ્યય રાજા - જિન દર્શન કરતાં કરતાં.

(21) ગૌતમ સ્વામી - વિલાપ કરતાં (વીર નિર્વાણ સમયે).

(22) પાંચસો તાપસ - ખીરનું ભોજન કરતાં કરતાં.

(23) ખંધક ઋષિ - ચામડી ઉતારતા.

(24) ઝાંઝરીયા મુનિ - વધ કરતી વખતે.

(25) ચંડરૂદ્રાચાર્ય ના શિષ્ય - વિહારમાં ગુરુ ના અપશબ્દ અને માર ખાતાં ખાતાં.

(26) ચંડરૂદ્રાચાર્ય - શિષ્યને ખામાવતાં ખામાવતાં.

(27) મૃગાવતી સાધ્વી - ગુરુણી ને ક્ષમાપના કરતાં.

(28) ચંદનબાળા સાધ્વી - શિષ્યા ને ખામાવતાં.

(29) ગજસુકુમાલ મુનિ - મસ્તક પર અંગારા બળતાં.

(30) સંયતિ રાજા - મૃગને મારતાં મારતાં કર્મ નું અપહરણ કર્યું.

(31) માસતુષ મુનિ - બાર વર્ષ લાગટ " મા રૂષ, મા તુષ " શબ્દ ગોખતાં.

The history of Jainism in Tamil Nadu dates back to 2nd century BCE. Tamil Jains are traditionally called 'Samanars' (Shramana).

Celebrations Amidst the Opening of a Jain Temple in Tamil Nadu

Over ten thousand followers of Jainism gathered at the consecration ceremony of the newly built Shri Matru Pitru Smruti Shri Sheetainath Tirthankar Jinalaya. The ceremony was held for the opening of the Kalas on the temple tower as well as for the prathista of the holy men of the religion known as the Tirthankaras.
The temple takes up an area of 8,000 square feet and is claimed to be built as the first of its kind in Tamil Nadu. It is the first such temple to have idols of all 24 Tirthankaras. The temple,which is located near the Mint clock Tower on Basin Bridge Road has been built by the family of Sankarji Prithviraj Kawad.
The people associated with building the temple have stated that it has been built in a Rajastani style and is made of white marble that has been brought from across various centres of the country. The main deity of the 24 Tirthankaras is the one of Bhagwan Sheetainath, hence the name of the temple. He is the 10th deity among the 24 Tirthankaras.
The organizers further stated that the central dome of the temple, also created by rich intricately carved marble is 83 feet high and has carvings of 14 very sacred symbols to the religion.
Various substances considered auspicious in the Jain community were used to decorate and ornate the eyes of the deities. This was a part of the ceremony ritual which took place on the day the temple opened for traditional rituals. Rose quartz, yellow morgue and black rainbow were some of the many rich stones that were used to create the idols.
Each night after the consecration ceremony, there were programs held to take part in devotional singing for the deities. A play depicting the life of Sheetainath was also held for the devotees to watch and learn from. Finally, the highlight of the ceremony was after the 9^th day when a procession was taken out from Mint Street to the temple. Over 15,000 Jain’s participated in this procession and are looking forward to the completion of the temple within the next eight months to come.