Jainism in Maharashtra

Jainism has been present in Maharashtra since ancient times. The famous Ellora Caves demonstrate that Jainism was part of a thriving religious culture in Maharashtra in premodern times.

Marathi Jain
Marathi Jain
Indra Sabha, Ellora Caves
Regions with significant populations
India Maharashtra
Languages
Marathi
Religion
Jainism

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History

Jainism in Maharashtra has a long history. The oldest inscription in Maharashtra is a 2nd-century BC Jain inscription in a cave near Pale village in the Pune District. It was written in the Jain Prakrit and includes the Navkar Mantra. The first Marathi inscription known is at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka near the left foot of the statue of Bahubali, dated 981 CE.

Jainism in Maharashtra was patronised by many rulers such kings from the Shilaharas and Rashtrakuta. Many of forts were built by kings from these dynasties and thus Jain temples or their remains are found in them. Texts such as the Shankardigvijaya and Shivlilamruta suggest that a large number of Marathi people followed jainism in the ancient period.

Jain communities in present day Maharashtra

There are many native jain communities in present day Maharashtra. The communities tend to be endogamous, and generally do not intermarry with the Jains who have arrived from North India. They belong to the Digambar sect. The four largest communities by numbers are:

Saitwal, originally Tailors and Cloth Merchants
Chaturtha, originally agriculturists, now engaged in various professions
Panchama, various professions
Kasar, traditionally coppersmiths

Each of the above communities are affiliated to their own Matha and led by the Matha leader called Bhattaraka. In addition to the above four, there are several smaller native Maharashtrian Jain communities.

Upajjhaya
Kamboja
Harada
Jabade, Jain community in Maharashtra
Dhakad A small Jain community found primarily in Western Vidarbha districts of Akola, Yavatmal, Washim and Amravati.

Religious organizations

The Dakshin Bharat Jain Sabha, Veer Seva Dal are religious and social service organization of the Jains of South India. The organization is headquartered at Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. The association is credited with being one of the first Jain associations to start reform movements among the Jains in modern India. The organization mainly seeks to represent the interests of the native Jains of Maharashtra (Marathi Jains) and Karnataka (Kannada Jains).