Mathura is an important city for Jains. The 21st Tirthankara and cousin of Krishna, Neminatha, was born in Mathura. Mahavira is said to have visited Mathura.
Excavations between 1870 and 1896 in Mathura unearthed immense Jaina sculptures, pillars, capitals, umbrellas, gateways and inscriptions, the earliest dated to 2nd Century BC. These were very important to dispel an European belief at that point of time that Jainism arose from Buddhism.
Kankali Tila is one of the greatest excavations in Mathura, 500 feet long and 350 feet wide. The remnants of a Jaina Stupa were discovered in these excavations. Jaina traditions refer to the practice of erecting Stupas over ashes of Jinas.
Kankali Stupa is believed to be dedicated to Parsvanatha while one account dedicates it to the seventh Tirthankara. In any case, by 2nd Century AD, the stupa was ascribed to Gods. This underscores that the Stupa had existed for a such a long time by then that its origins had become mythical.
Some accounts indicate that it was clay stupa built in 8th century just after the life of Parsvanatha and then it was converted to a brick stupa at the same time as Sanchi and Brahut stupas. There are also accounts of multiple Jaina stupas in Mathura. Remnants of two Jain temples have also been excavated at Kankali Tila.
Source: History of Jainism, V. K. Sharma
Picture Credit: Plan of the Jain Stupa, Vincent Smith
Mathura is an important city for Jains. The 21st Tirthankara and cousin of Krishna, Neminatha, was born in Mathura. Mahavira is said to have visited Mathura.
Excavations between 1870 and 1896 in Mathura unearthed immense Jaina sculptures, pillars, capitals, umbrellas, gateways and inscriptions, the earliest dated to 2nd Century BC. These were very important to dispel an European belief at that point of time that Jainism arose from Buddhism.
Kankali Tila is one of the greatest excavations in Mathura, 500 feet long and 350 feet wide. The remnants of a Jaina Stupa were discovered in these excavations. Jaina traditions refer to the practice of erecting Stupas over ashes of Jinas.
Kankali Stupa is believed to be dedicated to Parsvanatha while one account dedicates it to the seventh Tirthankara. In any case, by 2nd Century AD, the stupa was ascribed to Gods. This underscores that the Stupa had existed for a such a long time by then that its origins had become mythical.
Some accounts indicate that it was clay stupa built in 8th century just after the life of Parsvanatha and then it was converted to a brick stupa at the same time as Sanchi and Brahut stupas. There are also accounts of multiple Jaina stupas in Mathura. Remnants of two Jain temples have also been excavated at Kankali Tila.
Source: History of Jainism, V. K. Sharma
Picture Credit: Plan of the Jain Stupa, Vincent Smith
