Temples & Legends Of Bihar |
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Temples & Legends
Of India |
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SHAHABAD |
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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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