It is the architect. Most of these Jain temples are converted Hindu temples or built new temples as the shilpis were same.
Give your ears. I will tell the secret.
South India was not influenced by Jainism or Buddhism.
After the period of Chandra Gupta Maurya in north, Jainism was spread and lots of conversion started(This is natural for any new born religion).
It is very difficult to convert larger population one by one and the process is time consuming.
Considering these facts, in olden days people used to follow "Raja-dharma"(literal meaning King's religion). This means people follow same religion as that of King's.
So easier way to convert religion is to influence the king to accept new religion so that many people get converted automatically. To convert king, there are many ways, either genuinely influence the king using better ways of living in different religion. Or make sure king is attracted by women belongs to other religion and ask king to convert to religion of the women before marriage, or after marriage the women slowly influence king to convert to other religion.
Lots of south Indian kings have changed their religion from Vaishavism to Shaiva to Jaina etc..
Hardik Shah: Thats the other way around. Jainism came to south India before Hinduism. Most Hindu temples are converted from jain temples. Jains don't have enough population to protect their heritage and thats why hindus bully jains.
Answer: You were mislead.
There is no Hinduism earlier. There were nature worship, followed by Kuldev worship, Shaivism, Sakthism and Sri Vaishnavism in that order.
Jains, especially Tamil Jains mislead others.
Earlier, there was disconnect between religion and politics.
There were mystics, not creating any religions, these mystics contributed much in Philosophy, medicine, metullergy and performed miracles. There were over 84 in India, 18 in Tamil Country itself. You may call them Siddhas or Naths or Samanars etc.
Do you know- Mahavira was a mystic in Medicine or Chemistry. He was elected as a Thirthankara because of that. When he walks down, 24 miles around him vibrates with fragrance. The competetor who lost to Mahavira was also a mystic in Alchemy or Metals. Competence in medicine is important for a Thirthankara.
The linking of religion with politics came from Kalabhras, they came from North, created revolt, captured kingdoms, executed temple priests, royal princess, temples are converted. Yes it is the darkest period in Tamil History. The new found religions dominated from 4th to 7th century. No body understood their language of Pali Prakriti.
This is the danger, we had linking religion with politics.
The fun is that Ashoka, a buddhist king brutally kills everyone in Kalinga and promotes Buddhism, large scale conversion- His son converts himself from Buddhism to Jainism. Ruled for 7 years and constructs 15 lakh temples!!!. Any rational person will agree that it is imposdible to construct 15 lakh temples in a span of 7 years?.That is he converted all Hindu temples to Jain temples.
Jains do not have any population- yes if anyone converts compulsarily, they will revert to their religion, once the king dies.
Yes, like Buddha, Mahavir, Nava Naths- there are several mystics in our holy land.Unlike creating new religions, these mystics contributed much in Philosophy, medicine, metullergy and performed miracles.
Some worshipped Shiv, some Sakthi, some Murugan, some created the left hand sects within Buddhism and Jainism.
They are beyond space and time.
They have been mentioned with different names from Indian Ocean and beyond Himalayas to China.
It is very difficult to ascertain their living times, the same name is appearing several times from second or third century till tenth and eleven th century. It is difficult to believe that they lived 900 years or more.
There were localized legends on the miracles performed by them which rational mind will find it difficult to comprehend.
Like Mahavira, there are many
Korakkar
Konganar
Pulippani
Thirumular
Agaththiyar…
Not to offend anyone. Just to clarify. History always had two sides.
Better is not to dwell in history and keep faith in his Gurus.
