Tirtha
2635125
207227260
2008-04-21T22:36:29Z
SDC
181435
{{For|the [[Hindu]] usage|Tirtha and Kshetra}}
[[Image:delwada.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Adishwar Temple, [[Dilwara Temples|Delwada Abu]]]]
[[Image:Gomateswara.jpg|thumb|right|200pxThe Gomatheswara at [[Shravanabelagola]] 978-993 AD.]]
A '''tirtha''' is a [[pilgrimage]] site. Literally, the [[Sanskrit]] term ''tirtha'' means a [[Ford (crossing)|ford]], a shallow part of a body of water that may be easily crossed. A tirtha provides the inspiration to enable one to cross over from worldly engagement to the side of [[nirvana]].
In '''[[Jainism]]''', a tirtha may be
* '''Siddha kshtra''': site of liberation of a [[Kevali]] (including [[Tirthankaras]]) like Ashtapad hill, [[Shikharji|Sammet Shikhar]], [[Champa]], [[Girnar]], [[Pava]] and [[Palitana|Shatrunjaya]].
* '''Atishaya kshetra''': where divine events have occurred like [[Mahavirji]], [[Rikhabdeo|Kesariaji]], [[Kundalpur]] etc.
* '''Purana kshetra''': associated with lives of [[shalaka-purushas]], like [[Ayodhya]], [[Vidisha]], [[Hastinapur]], [[Rajgir]] etc.
* '''Gyana kshetra''': associated with famous Acharyas or centers of learning, like [[Mohankheda]], [[Shravanabelagola]], [[Ladnun]] etc.
Geographically the Jain Tirthas can be divided into Six Quarters:
* '''North India''': [[Hastinapur]], [[Taxila|Takshashila]], Ashtapada etc,.
* '''South India''': [[Shravanabelagola]], [[Moodabidri]], [[Humbaj]], [[Ananthanatha Swami Temple]] near [[Kalpetta]] etc.
* '''Eastern India''': [[shikharji|Sammet Sikhar]], [[Pavapuri]], Champa, [[Pundravardhan]] etc.
* '''Western India''': [[Palitana|Shatrunajaya]], Girnar, Abu, Mahavirji etc.
* '''Central India''': Vidisha, [[Kundalpur]], Sonagir, etc.
* '''Overseas''': [[Siddhachalam]], Nava-ashtapad etc.
==Directories of Tirthas (external links)==
* [http://www.mohankheda.com/ http://www.mohankheda.com]
* [http://tirth.jinvani.com/index.php http://tirth.jinvani.com]
* [http://www.jainpilgrimages.com http://www.jainpilgrimages.com]
* [http://www.jaintirth.org http://www.jaintirth.org]
* [http://www.jinalaya.com/ http://www.jinalaya.com]
* [http://www.jinalaya.com/ http://www.jinalaya.com]
[[Category:Jain temples and tirthas| Tithra]]
[[de:Tirtha]]