Jainism in Bundelkhand



Bundelkhand, a region in central India, has been an ancient center of Jainism. It covers northern part of Madhya Pradesh and south western part of Uttar Pradesh.

Bundelkhand was known as Dasharna or Jaijakabhukti in ancient times. The Betwa (Vetravati) and Dhasan (Dasharna) rivers flow through it.

It is one of the few regions in India where Jainism has a strong presence and influence. There are many ancient tirthas in Bundelkhand region. Many of the modern scholars and monks of Jainism belong to this region.

Prominent tirthas
Many of the famous Jain tirthas, Vidisha, Deogarh, Lalitpur, Karguanji (Jhansi), Chanderi, Kundalpur, Khajuraho, Aharji, Paporaji, Drongir (Chhatarpur), Sonagir, Nainagiri, Badagaon, Pateriaji, Nisaiji etc. are in this region.

Jain communities
Bundelkhand is home to several Jain communities:
 * Parwar
 * Golapurva
 * Golalare
 * Teranpanthi (including Samaiya, Charanagare and Ayodhyavasi)
 * Kathanera (also known as Kathanere)

The Khandelwals were originally from Rajasthan, but they have been present in Bundelkhand since ancient times.

Navalsah Chanderia in 1768 in his Vardhamana Purana mentioned 11 communities that were partly Jain. These include: A few among them are still Jain and follow the Teranpanthi sect.
 * Grihapati
 * Nema
 * Asati

The Bhadavar region (Bhind, Morena, Etawah) is adjacent to Bundelkhand and is home to some like:
 * Barhiya
 * Golalare
 * Kharaua
 * Padmavati Purwar
 * Lamenchu
 * Jaiswal
 * Golsinghare
 * Budhele