UTTAR PRADESH

Uttar Pradesh has been the religious and cultural heart-land of India. And sixth century B.C. was a period of great religious rejuvenation and emergence of heterodox religious revolts as represented by Jainism. This Religious sect set its feet firmly on Indian soil. The rich and varied land of Uttar Pradesh has plenty of places related with the birth places of Tirthankars.

01 :

AYODHYA TEERTH.

This holy city is situated on the banks of river Saryu (Ghargra).It is only 1.6 kms. from railway station and 8 Kms from Faizabad, the district headquaters. It is held in great esteem by Jain pilgrims. Out of the 14 Kulkars or Munis, seven were born here. The last Muni Nabhi Rai used to reside here.

The main temple is situated at Raigangarea .in this splendid temple which is in a vast courtyard main idol of Bhagvan Adinath , 37 feet high in standing posture is placed .

In addition to the main temple , different temples viz. Kamal Mandir , Chaubisi mandir etc. are also worth seeing .Five Tonks of tonks were in ruined condition , which have now been renovated. Important events like Bharat- Bahubali war , Birth of Rama and Exile of Rani Sita were held here.

Janam Kalyanak(Birth Place) of following Thirthankars Adinath Ajitnath ,Abhinandan Nath , Sumati Nath and Anant Nath.

EXCURSION :

Sravasti , Raunahi , Gulab Bari , Guptar Ghat , Maqbara , Kichhauchha ,Bharat Kund,Ratnapuri(Janam Kalyank of DaramNath).

02 :

SRAVASTI TEERTH .

It is the Garbh, Birth and penance place of third Tirthankar Bhagwan Sambavnath, Makardhwaj, son of King Jinshatru and seth Nagardutt, had penance and got salvation from this place. It is said that the famous temple of Somnath was once a Jain Temple, where 1000 years old idol of Bhagwan Sambhavnath and some other idols can be seen even today. Sravasti, capital of a kingdom in the hoary past is located at a distance of 40 kms from Bahraich on the NE Railway. Its modern name is Saheth-Maheth. It is bifurated by a motorable road-one side being Saheth and the other Maheth. Both sides contain the ruins and relics of Jain and Buddhist temples, forts and stupas. Bhagwan Mahavir during his 'Tapas' period and later as Tirthankar visited Sravasti many times.

03 :

ALLAHABAD TEERTH - Prabhasgiri, Kausambhi.

AREA :

7,000 Sq. Km (Approx.).

POPULATION :

39,80000 (Approx.).

Allahabad, one of India's oldest cities, it is situated in the south central part of U.P. and at the confluence of the river's Ganga , Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati .

Entrances for Allahabad are from
1. Karchana
2. Rewa Road
3. Phoolpur or Jhunsi , through Shastri bridge
4. Phaphamau bridge
5. Kanpur road or Bambrauli

These are the main entrance of Allahabad . Allahabad border's are in the South-> Banda and Rewa (M.P) ,
North-> Raibarily, Pratapgarh and Jaunpur ,
West-> Fatehpur,
East-> Mirzapur and Varanasi .

Allahabad is 115 km's in length from east to west and its width from north to south is 64 km's .Allahabad's area is 7,000 square km's . Indias most populated state is U.P. and 17 % of the people of U.P. live in Allahabad.

04 :

KAUSAMBI TEERTH.

Nearly 50 kms from Allahabad, it is accessible by cars and buses, thereafter "Tongas" carry the pilgrims to the destination. It was the seat of an ancient kingdom with Maharaj Udayan, famous for his beloved Vasavdutta, who were great devotees of Bhagwan Mahavir. Bhagwan Mahavir Swami undertook a fast for 5 months and 24 days and broke it at the hands of a handcuffed slave girl named Chandna who offered him halfcooked brans of Urd pulse, her food for the day. Chandna, on her release from bondage joined the jain religion as a Shadhvi and followed Bhagwan Mahavir.

PLACES OF INTEREST :

Ghositarama Monastery, The Stupa Palace, Fortifications Pabhosa or Prabhasgiri is only 4kms from Kausambi. It is very sacred pilgrim centre. On the hill of Prabhasgiri was born Padamprabhu who performed Tapasya and attained englihtenment.

05 :

VARANASI TEERTH.

Banaras is regarded as the most ancient holy city of India by Jains and Hindus. It has been the seat of culture and learning since times immemorial. The sacred city had been founded during the prehistoric-era of Bhagwan Rishabh Dev. The 23rd Tirthankar Parshvanath was born in this holy city. The king and queen of Kashi(Varanasi) were ardent devotees of Bhagwan Mahavir. Many jain scholars, temples, and dharamshalas, relics of ancient Jain culture and civilization abound in this city. It is one of the most important places of Jain pilgrimage.

EXCURSIONS:
Sarnath , Chandra Prabha Sanctuary , Chunar , Vindhya Vasini Temple , Ram Nagar Palace.

06 :

KAMPIL TEERTH .

Kampilya called Kampil today, is a village in tehsil Kasgunj of Farukhabad district, situated near the banks of the Ganga. In the ancient times it was the seat of an emperor. During the Epic period it was the capital of King Drupad, the father of the renowned Queen Draupadi, married to the five Pandava brothers of Mahabhrat. It was the birth place of the 13th Tirthankar Brahlanchhan Vimal Nath. It was graced by the visit of Lord Mahavir. The neighbouring ruins and mounds contain the relics and sculptures of jain civilization. Every year a Jain festival is held for five days in the month of March.

07 :

SANKISA TEERTH .

In Farukkhabad district about 30 kms from Kampil, Sankisa was an ancient cultural centre of Jainism. Remains of very old relics, sculptures and idols of Tirthankars have been excavated. It is held in great reverence due to the Tapasya and further enlightenment of the 13th Tirthankar Vimal Nath.

08 :

AHICHHATRA TEERTH.

In Bareilly district, near the town of Ramnager this place was the 'Taphobhumi' of 23rd Tirthankar, Parshavnath. While in deep meditation, HE was attacked by the notorious demon Shambhar. The Cobra-King Ahi provided an umbrella(Chhatra) by his hood and HE attained enlightenment. It is a very holy pilgrimage.

09 :

BADRINATH TEERTH .

Garwal Himalayas : Badrinath, in the Snow-clad heights of the Garwal Himalayas, is a both for Jains and Hindus. There are two mountains on either side. One is Nar and the other Narayana. They are the Tapobhumi of Bhagwan Rishabhdev. This is the most sacred for Jains as he attained enlightenment and Nirvana here. Conducted tours are available for Badrinath from Delhi, Hardwar and Rishikesh.

10 :

PARASNATH KILA TEERTH .

About 5 kms from the small township of Barhanpur, in Tehsil Nagina, district Bijnor, are the ruins of an ancient Jain city called Parasnath Kila. The excavations have brought out some whole and other multilated idols of many Tirthankars. It appears that Parasnath had arrived here from Ahichhatra.

11 :

MATHURA TEERTH .

It is the crown of Brijbhumi held in equal reverence by Jains, Hindus and Buddhists since times- immemorial. It has been visited by many Tirthankars including Bhagwan Vardhman Mahavir. It is extremely rich in Jain sculptures and idols. This place is a great attraction to pilgrims and tourists. It has a very rich museum.