Jainism in Nagaland

Jain temple in Dimapur, Dimapur district

Nagaland, a state in north eastern India has had a long association with Jainism. Today the state has two Jain temples and has become home to hundreds of Jain families living prosperously and peacefully.

History

The first Jain temple in Nagaland was established in Kohima. The temple was established in 1920 by 8 Sethi families, who were the first non naga settlors in Nagaland, prominent among them being Hardev Sethi, Hiralal Sethi, Phulchand Sethi. These families then moved to Dimapur in 1944 due to Japanese invasion during World War II. These families established the Jain temple in Dimapur in 1947.

Dimapur Jain Temple

Main article: Dimapur Jain Temple

Dimapur Jain Temple was built in 1947. The temple is architecturally very well built and has an impressive structure. The temple has some intricate glass work. The temple is considered very auspicious by the people of Dimapur. The Moolnayak of the temple is Lord Mahavira. Dimapur is the business center of Nagaland today and most of the Jain families are settled in Dimapur.

Kohima Jain Temple

File:Kohima Jain Temple (1).jpg

Inside Kohima Jain Temple

The first Jain temple in Nagaland was established in Kohima. The temple was established in 1920

Community

Jains constitute only about 0.1% of the total population of Nagaland yet they control a chunk of the businesses in Nagaland. The Dimapur Jain community actively participates in various social causes. They also regularly organize free health camps, relief camps. The Dimapur Jain community runs the SD Jain Charitable Hospital, SD Jain High School and SD Jain Girls' college. The SD Jain Hospital and the SD Jain School were established as a result of the untiring efforts of Shri Phulchand Sethi, Shri Jethmal Sethi, Shri Chunnilal Sethi, Shri Kanhaiyalal Sethi, Shri Madan Lal Sethi and other Sethi families of Dimapur.

Gallery

• Jain Temple Dimapur1.png

  Mulnayak Pratima at Jain Temple, Dimapur

• Jain Temple Dimapur2.png

  Trimurti at Jain Temple, Dimapur

• Kohima Jain Temple.jpg

  Jain Temple, Kohima

• Kohima Jain Temple (1).jpg

  Jain Temple, Kohima

Major centers

Major Jain centers include:

• Shree Digambar Jain Temple Dimapur
• Jain Temple Kohima

Population

According to 2011 census, the population of Jains in Nagaland is 2093, which is approximately 0.1% of the total population.

Eminent Personalities

• Late Nemichand Champalal Sethi
• Late Phulchand Sethi
• Late Jethmal Sethi
• Late Kanhaiyalal Sethi
• Late Kishenlal Sethi
• Late Subhkaran Sethi
• Late Ramchandra Sethi
• Binod Sethi
• Om Prakash Sethi

See also

• Jainism in West Bengal
• Jainism in India
• Jainism in Tamil Nadu
• Jainism in Kerala
• Jainism in Bundelkhand
• Bhagwan Vasupujya Pratima Champapur
• Vasupujya
• Dimapur Jain Temple

References

• http://nagalandpost.com/ChannelNews/State/StateNews.aspx?news=TkVXUzEwMDAyMDE2Ng%3D%3D-plRjpbhlHpQ%3D
• http://m.newshunt.com/india/english-newspapers/nagaland-post/state-news/jain-community-celebrates-mahavir-jayanti_38090912/c-in-l-english-n-nagalandpost-ncat-StateNews
• http://www.nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwNDEyNTE%3D-GTXG%2Br4cu3o%3D
• http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140107/jsp/bihar/story_17757074.jsp#.VjEZ3mQrI1I
• http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/dimapur-jain-community-observes-paryushan/