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Jainism in Assam

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Jain temple in Tihu, Nalbari district

Assam, a state in north eastern India has had a long association with Jainism. Today the state is home to a number of Jain monuments, such as Jain temples and Jain tirths.

History

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Surya Pahar in the Goalpara district of Assam has several Jain statues and relics.[1]

One of the oldest Jain temples in Guwahati was established in 1965 in the Fancy Bazar locality.[2]

Community

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Jainism is one of the smallest religions in Assam and constitutes 0.09% of the total population.[3] The Government of Assam has officially declared the Jain community in Assam as a minority community.[4]

The Assamese Jain community actively takes part in community service. They regularly organize free health camps.[5]

Major centers

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Major ancient Jain centers include:

Population by district

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Jain population in Assam (2011)[6]
# District Total population Jain population %
1 Kamrup Metropolitan 1,253,938 9,250 0.74%
2 Dhubri 1,949,258 1,846 0.09%
3 Cachar 1,736,617 1,673 0.10%
4 Kamrup 1,517,542 1,330 0.09%
5 Nagaon 2,823,768 1,162 0.04%
6 Dibrugarh 1,326,335 1,055 0.08%
7 Nalbari 771,639 1,004 0.13%
8 Sonitpur 1,924,110 1,003 0.05%
9 Bongaigaon 738,804 871 0.12%
10 Tinsukia 1,327,929 837 0.06%
11 Darrang 928,500 724 0.08%
12 Jorhat 1,092,256 719 0.07%
13 Golaghat 1,066,888 530 0.05%
14 Karimganj 1,228,686 524 0.04%
15 Goalpara 1,008,183 477 0.05%
16 Barpeta 1,693,622 399 0.02%
17 Karbi Anglong 956,313 397 0.04%
18 Kokrajhar 887,142 396 0.04%
19 Sivasagar 1,151,050 286 0.02%
20 Lakhimpur 1,042,137 250 0.02%
21 Hailakandi 659,296 247 0.04%
22 Morigaon 957,423 244 0.03%
23 Baksa 950,075 239 0.03%
24 Dhemaji 686,133 167 0.02%
25 Chirang 482,162 125 0.03%
26 Udalguri 831,668 124 0.01%
27 Dima Hasao 214,102 70 0.03%
Assam (Total) 31,205,576 25,949 0.08%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ TI Trade (6 March 2009). "The Assam Tribune Online". Assamtribune.com. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  2. ^ "The Telegraph - Calcutta : Guwahati". Telegraphindia.com. 23 July 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  3. ^ Das, Bhuban Mohan (1987). The Peoples of Assam - Bhuban Mohan Das - Google Books. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 9788121200936. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Jain community declared as minority in Assam". Business Standard. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  5. ^ "Magazine | Jaina Sanghas | Shvetambar Terapanth | Institutions | TPF Guwahati | 18.09.2011 ►Mega Health Checkup Camp". Herenow4u.net. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  6. ^ Population by religious community: Assam. 2011 Census of India.