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 a group of 8 Jain families, prominent among them being Hardev Sethi, Hiralal Sethi, Phulchand Sethi, Jethmal Sethi, Devalal 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

Main article: Jain Temple Kohima

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 and Jain Bhavan were established as a result of the untiring efforts of Shri Phulchand Sethi, Shri Phulchand Binaykia, Shri Mangilal Chhabra, Shri Jethmal Sethi, Shri Kanhaiyalal Sethi, Shri Madan Lal Sethi and other Sethi and Chhabra families of Dimapur.

Gallery

• 
  Mulnayak Pratima at Jain Temple, Dimapur
• 
  Trimurti at Jain Temple, Dimapur
• 
  Jain Temple, Kohima
• 
  Kohima Jain Temple

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 2,093, which is approximately 0.1% of the total population.

Eminent Personalities

• Late Phulchand Sethi
• Late Jethmal Sethi
• Late Champalal Sethi
• Late Kanhaiyalal Sethi
• Late Mangilal Chabra
• Late Subhkaran Sethi
• Late Ramchandra Sethi
• Binod Sethi

See also

• Jainism in India

References

• https://epaper.easternmirrornagaland.com/epaper/edition/381/eastern-mirror-june-21/page/3
• http://www.nagalandpost.com/book-on-jainism-released/235284.html Archived 27 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine
• https://morungexpress.com/kohima-jain-temple-marks-100th-year-with-book-release
• https://www.telegraphindia.com/bihar/deity-gift-from-nagaland/cid/218937
• http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/dimapur-jain-community-observes-paryushan/

Sources

• Sethi, Raj Kumar (2021), 100 years of Jainism in Nagaland - (A journey from 1885 to 1985), Walnut Publication, ISBN 978-93-91522-04-9