Total population | |
---|---|
'18,914' (0.02%) (2011) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Most significant populations in Patna · Rajgir | |
Languages | |
Bhojpuri, Magahi | |
Religion | |
Jainism |
Jainism in Bihar trace a long history since the times of twenty-fourth Tirthankara Mahavira, who was born in Vaishali (near Hajipur). The state of Bihar is considered to have played an important role in the development of Jainism.
Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Tirthankara was born in Champapur, Bhagalpur and attained all his Pancha Kalyanaka in Champapuri. Munisuvrata, the 20th Jain tirthankara was born in Rajgir. Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism, was born in Vaishali around sixth century B.C. [1] His father was a Nathvanshi Kshatriya chief of Kundalpur which has been identified with modern-day Nalanda district. Mahavir achieved nirvana in Pawapuri which is today a pilgrimage site for Jains from across the world. [2] An ancient black statue of Lord Mahavira weighing around 250 kg was recently stolen from Jamui, Bihar. The statue was later recovered by the Police. [3]
Pataliputra, Champapuri and Vaishali are significant religious places in Jainism. The tallest statue of Jain tirthankara Vasupujya which stands 31 feet in height was built in Champapuri in 2014. The Panch Kalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsav of the statue was done from 27 Feb to 3 Mar 2014. Kamaldah Jain Temple is the oldest Jain temple in Patna built in the 18th century. This temple, belonging to the Śvetāmbara sect of Jainism, is dedicated to Neminatha, the 22nd tirthankara. This place has traditionally been associated with the birth of the renowned Jain teacher, Sthulabhadra.
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1951 | - | — |
1961 | - | — |
1971 | - | — |
1981 | - | — |
1991 | - | — |
2001 | 16,085 | — |
2011 | 18,914 | +17.6% |
Source: Census of India |
Jainism is a minority religion of Bihar, being practiced by 0.2% of the total state population. The Jain population in Bihar is 18,914 as of 2011 census report. As per 2001 census, Only 16,085 Jain were living in Bihar.
Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. He was the spiritual successor of the 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanatha. Mahavira was born in the early 6th century BCE to a royal Jain family of ancient India. His mother's name was Trishala and his father's name was Siddhartha. They were lay devotees of Parshvanatha. Mahavira abandoned all worldly possessions at the age of about 30 and left home in pursuit of spiritual awakening, becoming an ascetic. Mahavira practiced intense meditation and severe austerities for twelve and a half years, after which he attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience). He preached for 30 years and attained moksha (liberation) in the 6th century BCE, although the year varies by sect.
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is one of the most important religious festivals in Jainism. It celebrates the birth of Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of present Avasarpiṇī. On the Gregorian calendar, the holiday occurs either in March or April.
Rajgir, old name Rajagriha, meaning "The City of Kings," is an ancient city and university town in the district of Nalanda in Bihar, India. As the ancient seat and capital of the Haryanka dynasty, the Pradyota dynasty, the Brihadratha dynasty and the Mauryan Empire, as well as the dwelling ground of such historical figures as Buddha, Mahavira and Bimbisara, the city holds a place of prominence in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain scriptures. As of 2011, the population of the town was reported to be 41,000 while the population in the community development block was about 88,500.
Pawapuri, or Pavapuri, is a holy site for Jains located in the Nalanda district of Bihar state in eastern India. It is located about 19 kilometres from Rajgir and 101 kilometres from Patna, the capital of Bihar. Pawapuri is Mahavira's nirvana and a pilgrimage site for Jains.
Kundalpur is a town located in Damoh district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Located 37 kilometres northeast of the city of Damoh, Kundalpur is a pilgrimage site for Digambar Jains.
Mangi-Tungi is a prominent twin-pinnacled peak and Digambar Jain Pilgrimage Site, located near Tahrabad about 125 km from Nashik, Maharashtra, India. Mangi, 4,343 ft (1,324 m) high above sea level, is the western pinnacle and Tungi, 4,366 ft (1,331 m) high, the eastern. Mangi-Tungi is 30 km (19 mi) from the city of Satana.
A Jain temple, Derasar or Basadi is the place of worship for Jains, the followers of Jainism. Jain architecture is essentially restricted to temples and monasteries, and Jain buildings generally reflect the prevailing style of the place and time they were built.
Vasupujya is the twelfth tirthankara in Jainism of the avasarpini. According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Vasupujya was born to King Vasupujya and Queen Jaya Devi at Champapuri in the Ikshvaku dynasty. His birth date was the fourteenth day of the Falgun Krishna month of the Indian calendar. He never married and remained a celibate. He attained Kevala Jnana within one month of Tapsya and Moksha at Champapuri, of Bihar in India on the fourteenth day of the bright half of the month of Ashadh.
Champapuri, Champa Nagri or Champanagar is a neighbourhood in Bhagalpur in the Indian state of Bihar. It is the site of the ancient city of Champa, the capital of the Anga Mahajanapada. It is also the main centre of capital of cultural region of Anga.
Muktagiri, or Mendhagiri, is a Jain pilgrimage centre, located on border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in India. It comes under Bhainsdehi tehsil of Betul district and is 14 km (14,000 m) from Paratwada in Amravati district.
The state of Bihar in eastern India, is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world with a history going back 3000 years. The rich culture and heritage of Bihar is evident from the innumerable ancient monuments that are dotted all over the state. Bihar is home to many tourist attractions and is visited by large numbers of tourists from all over the world. Around total 6 million tourists visit Bihar every year.
Hinduism is the most followed religion in Bihar, followed by nearly 82% of total population as per 2023 Bihar Caste based census. Islam is the second-most followed religion which is followed by nearly 17.7% of population. There is also a significant population of Buddhists and Christians in the state.
Jain sculptures or Jain idols are the images depicting Tirthankaras. These images are worshiped by the followers of Jainism. The sculpture can depict any of the twenty-four tirthankaras with images depicting Parshvanatha, Rishabhanatha, or Mahāvīra being more popular. Jain sculptures are an example of Jain art. There is a long history of construction of Jain sculptures. Early examples include Lohanipur Torsos which has been regarded to be from the Maurya period, and images from the Kushan period from Mathura.
Diwali in Jainism marks the anniversary of Nirvana or liberation of Mahavira's soul, the twenty-fourth and last Jain Tirthankara of the present cosmic age. It is celebrated at the same time as the Hindu festival of Diwali. Diwali marks the end of the year for Jains, and it likewise commemorates the passing of their twenty-fourth Tirthankara Mahavira and his achievement of moksha.
Kundalpur is a village in Nalanda district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is located about 2.5 kilometres from ancient Nalanda Mahavihara, 11 kilometres southwest of Bihar Sharif, and 80 kilometres southeast of Patna.
Nalanda railway station, station code NLD, is a railway station and under Danapur railway division of East Central Railway. Nalanda is connected to metropolitan areas of India, by the Delhi–Kolkata main line via Mugalsarai–Patna route. Station is located in Nalanda city in Nalanda district in the Indian state of Bihar. Due to its location on the Bakhtiyarpur–Tilaiya main line many Patna and other cities via Express trains coming from Rajgir and Gaya Junction stop here.
The Jal Mandir or Water Temple is situated in Pawapuri, in the Indian state of Bihar. Even though other sects of Jainism are permitted to worship at specific and limited periods of time, this temple, indisputably, belongs to the Śvetāmbara sect of Jainism. It is dedicated to Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, which marks the place of his cremation. Mahavira attained Nirvana (death) in Pawapuri in 527 BC. The temple was originally built by King Nandivardhan, elder brother of Mahavira, within the pond which is filled with red coloured lotus flowers. It is one of the five main temples in Pawpuri, where the "Charan Paduka" or foot impression of Mahavira is deified.
The Statue of Vasupujya located at Champapur,Bhagalpur in the Indian state of Bihar, is one of the tallest statues in eastern India and the tallest statue of Lord Vasupujya in India. The statue is dedicated to Vasupujya, the twelfth Jain Tirthankara of the present cosmic age. The height of the statue is 31 ft. The statue was constructed and donated by Smt Sona Devi Sethi Charitable trust, Nagaland. Champapur is a Siddhakshetra and occupies a very significant place among the Jains. This is said to be the place where all the five kalyanaks - Garbh, Janam, Diksha, Kevalgyana and Moksh kalyanak of Tirthankara Vasupujya took place. It is said that the first tirthankar Rishabha, twenty-third Tirthankara Parshvanath and last tirthankara Mahavira had their Chaturmas at this place. Mahavira had his third and twelfth Chaturmas at this place.
Jain temple, Kundalpur is a complex of six Jain temples located in Kundalpur village near Nalanda, Bihar. Kundalpur is one of the most important Jain pilgrimages in Bihar.