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]]