Context:
Budget 2024 focus on revival of Rajgir
Rajgir:
- Located in – Bihar
- Historically known as – Rajagriha (City of Kings)
- Mentioned in India’s largest literary epic, the Mahabharata.
- Served as the capital of Magadha, which would later become the Mauryan Empire.
- The city is home to the 2,500-year-old Cyclopean Wall.
- Significant area in Jainism and Buddhism.
- Surrounded by 5 sacred hills, therefore, also known as Panchpahari.
- Birthplace of Munisuvrata, the 20th Jain Tirthankar
- Also associated with Mahavira and Gautama Buddha.
- Was one of the most prominent preaching places for the Buddha.
- 1st Buddhist Council was convened at Rajgir
- Saptharishi or the 7 hotsprings in the region form a warm water Brahmakund that is sacred
Jain Tirthankaras:
- A saviour who has succeeded in crossing over life’s stream of rebirths and has made a path for others to follow.
- According to tradition, there are 24 Tirthankaras
- Represented either standing in kayotsarga (“dismissing the body”) posture or seated cross-legged on a lion throne in the posture of meditation, dhyanamudra.
- Adinath/Rishabhdev – 1st Tirthankara
- Parsvanatha – 23rd Tirthankara
- Mahavira – 24th Tirthankara
Source: Times of India
Previous Year Question
The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2011 Prelims]
(a) Universal Law
(b) Universal Truth
(c) Universal Faith
(d) Universal Soul
Answer: (a)
