Tirtha (Jainism) Explained
In Jainism, a tīrtha (Sanskrit: तीर्थ "ford, a shallow part of a body of water that may be easily crossed") is used to refer both to pilgrimage sites as well as to the four sections of the sangha. A tirtha provides the inspiration to enable one to cross over from worldly engagement to the side of moksha.[1]
Jain tirthas are located throughout India. Often a tirtha has a number of temples as well as residences (dharmashala) for the pilgrims and wandering monks and scholars.
Types
Tirtha sites include:[2]
- Siddhakshetras or site of moksha liberation of an arihant (kevalin) or Tirthankaras like Ashtapada Hill, Shikharji, Girnar, Pawapuri, Palitana, Mangi-Tungi and Champapuri (capital of Anga)
- Atishayakshetras where divine events have occurred like Mahavirji, Rishabhdeo, Kundalpur, Aharji etc.
- Puranakshetras associated with lives of great men like Ayodhya, Vidisha, Hastinapur, and Rajgir
- Gyanakshetra: associated with famous acharyas or centers of learning like Mohankheda, Shravanabelagola and Ladnu
Locations
Geographically, the tirthas are divided into six quarters:[3]
- North India: Hastinapur, Taxila, and Ashtapada
- South India: Kulpakji, Shravanabelagola, Sankighatta, Moodabidri, Humbaj, Anantnath Swami Temple, Gummileru
- Eastern India: Shikharji, Pawapuri, Champapuri, Pundravardhana
- Western India: Palitana, Girnar, Mount Abu, Mahavirji, Shankheshwar, Mahudi
- Central India: Vidisha, Kundalpur, Sonagiri, Muktagiri
- Overseas: Siddhachalam, Nava Ashtapada, Siddhayatan, Jain Center of Southern California
Pilgrimage sites are owned either by the Digambara sect or the Śvetāmbara sect. Some of the major Śvetāmbara pilgrimage sites include: -
See also
External links
Notes and References
- http://www.jsgc.org/tirth.htm Special features of sacred places of Jains
- Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence, Kurt Titze, Motilal Banarsidass; 2nd edition (March 5, 2001)
- Bharat ke Digambar Jain Tirth, Volume 1, Balbhadra Jain, 1974
