Temples & Legends Of Bihar
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Temples  & Legends Of India

SHAHABAD

Shahabad district, with its headquarters town Arrah was once the stronghold of Jainism. This is proved by the find of about twenty images of the Tirthankaras Neminath, Rishabhanath and others. The find of the Kalpavriksha (tree) with a fine sculpture and the Dharma Chakra, excavated from Chausa in the Buxar Sub-division, definitely go to show that Jainsim had flourished in this area prior to the sixth century A.D.

The Tirthankara Rishabhanath originated the Dharma Chakra and sculptural specimens of the Dharma Chakra have been found in India only at such places where Jainism had its great strong-hold once. These relics are kept in the Patna Museum now. The age of the relics is put between the Sixth and Ninth Century A.D.

Not much is known of the old Jain temples in this district. It is to be noted, however, that the Jain temples were quite often pulled downs and rebuilt the Hindu temples. However, it may be presumed that Jainism had continued in the district from the 10th centuryonwards but probably not as vigorously. The history of Jainism in this district during the middle period is not quite clear. But again we find relics dating to the 16th Century.

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