Introduction

Jainism is a splendid living religion with a well defined world view, metaphysics, code of ethics and based on non-violence, truth and righteous conduct. It had emerged as an offshoot of Hinduism in the 6^th century BCE, as a protestant religion and had a profound influence in the religious life of the country. It is a monastic religion which denounced the authority of Vedas. It was Mahavira, the 24^th Tirthankara, who revived the old religion as an alternative to the ritual stricken Hinduism. For more than one thousand years, the religion was flourished as a major religion of the country along with Buddhism and Hinduism and there after survived as a minor religion at the cost of growing popularity of Buddhism and Hinduism. The religion still retains its identity in the religious life of the people with several Jain establishments and followers as noticed throughout the lengths and breadth of the country.