Tirtha (Jainism)

This article is about the Jainism term. For other uses, see Tirtha (disambiguation).

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]

Vimal Vasahi Adishwar Temple, one of the Dilwara Temples, Mount Abu.

Chaumukha Temple, Ranakpur

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
• 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, Bawangaja
• Overseas: Taxila, Ashtapada, 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: -

• Palitana temples
• Shankheshwar Jain Temple
• Girnar Jain temples
• Sammed Shikharji Jain Tirth (shared with Digambar)
• Lachhuar Jain temple
• Dilwara Temples
• Nakoda Jain Temple
• Ranakpur Jain temple
• Kesariya Jain Tirth (shared with Digambar)
• Kulpak Jain Temple
• Mohankheda
• Mahudi Jain Temple

See also

• Religion portal

• Jain temple
• Tirtha (Hinduism)
• Vividha Tirtha Kalpa