NEW evidences coming under light every other day are now bringing the fact forth, that Jainism was once a largely followed major religion in the Indian subcontinent. One such archaeological site, declared a UNESCO a world heritage site in 2013, is the Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajasthan, India. The marvellous fort, with a 38 km long boundary wall protecting the entire fort complex, is believed to have been built around 200 BCE by the Jain ruler, King Samprati also known as the Jain Ashoka. King Samprati was the Grandson of Emperor Ashoka and was ordained into Jainism by a Jain Acharya called Suhasti. There are a total of 360 temples in the fort complex, of which 300 temples are identified as belonging to Jainism and rest 60 to Hinduism. The fifteen feet thick boundary walls of the fort are so unbelievably magnanimous, that it's often called The Great Wall Of India, comparing it to The Great Wall Of China. The fort was reconstructed in its present structure by Rana...
IT has always been a mystery for our Hindu colleagues, friends or acquaintances of any kind to know how and why Jains celebrate Diwali. We have all been asked at least once if we celebrate Diwali at all, haven't we? Thanks to our team, the mystery has been unfolded! Feel free to share this article explaining in laymen language the significance of Diwali in Jainism. Known as the festival of lights, Diwali is the one of the most popular Indian festivals celebrated by people all around the globe. The word 'Diwali' is a refined version of the word 'Deepawali' which in turn has been doctored from a Sanskrit word 'Deepalikaya'. The oldest reference to 'Deepalikaya' is found in an ancient text 'Harivamsa Purana' written by a celebrated Jain author and Acarya Jinsena . Which literally translates to "the Pavanagari was illluminated by lamps to mark the occasion. Since that time, the people of Bharat celebrate the fes...
Table Of Contents : Historical Vs Mythological Who Was Mahavira? Mahavira's Early Life Mahavira's Renunciation Mahavira's Nirvana Who Was the Buddha? Buddha's Early Life Buddha's Renunciation Buddha's Nirvana Historical Vs Mythological Before we jump into history and facts and findings, what needs to be prefaced is the difference between the adjectives 'historical' and 'mythological' and why Mahavira and the Buddha are historical and NOT mythological figures. A historical personality is someone whose existence can be evidenced, verified, and proven through historical records, excavations, archaeological evidences or basically through more than a bunch of legends and sagas here and there. On the other hand, a mythological figure is exactly what it is : a myth! And a myth is exactly what it is : unverifiable! The difference between historical and mythological would be same as the difference between say, dinosaurs and demons...