Spread of Jainism in Telangana
SPREAD OF JAINISM Like Buddhism , Jainism also rejects the authority of the Vedas . Jainism was as old as the Vedas . There was specific reference to Rishabhanatha and Arishtanemi in the Rigvedic mantras . Vishnu Purana and Bhagavatha Purana also mention about Rishabhanatha . All the Jain Thirthankars were kshatriyas . Among the 24 Thirthankars mentioned in the Jain literature only 2 of them were Historic Persons . The other 22 were Mythological Persons . The 23 rd Thirthankar was “ Parshvanatha” and The 24 th Thirthankar was “ Vardhamana Mahaveera” . Thirthankar means those “ who build bridges to cross over the stream of life” . Jainism was prevalent in Telangana even before the period of Vardhamana Mahaveera . According to Pattavali , the traditional history of the Jainism , this religion entered Telangana region before Buddhism . The Indian as well as foreign historians endorse this fact. ...