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History of the Mithila region
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History of the Mithila region
Mithila (IAST: mithilā, also known as Mithilanchal, Tirhut and Tirabhukti) is a geographical and cultural region located in the Indian subcontinent. The native language is known as Maithili and its speakers are referred to as Maithils. The majority of the Mithila region falls within modern-day India. Mithila is bounded in the north by the Himalayas, and in the south, west and east by the Ganges, Gandaki and Mahananda respectively. It extends into the southeastern Terai of Nepal. This region was also called Tirabhukti, the ancient name of Tirhut.
Historically, the region was called by multiple names. The name Mithila is believed to be derived from the legendary King Mithi who established Mithilapuri.
Among the twelve[citation needed] names of Mithila, including Tirhut and Tirabhukti, Brihada Vishnu Purana mentions the name Tirabhukti, which later became known as Tirhut in common use. Tirabhukti is a Sanskrit compound word, a combination of tira ("shore") and bhukti (in the meaning of "limit"). The name Tirhut is preserved in Tirhuta script of the Maithili language and Tirhut division in the Mithila region
Vijayakanta Mishra, an Indian scholar, in his book "Cultural Heritage of Mithila" stated that the word Tirabhukti which is mentioned in the text of Brihada Vishnu Purana became popular during the period of 4th- th centuries AD in the Indian subcontinent to denote the Mithila region. Later, the word Tirhut became common designation of the Mithila region for the administrative purposes.
Mithilā is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Jainism. Apart from its association with Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, it is also known for its association with Mallinatha, the 19th Tirthankara, and Naminatha, the 21st Tirthankara. As per the Śvetāmbara canon, the first four of the five significant events of the life of Mallinātha and Naminātha happened at Mithilā. The fifth one, which is the attainment of nirvana, happened at Sammet Shikharji.
Mahavira spent 6 varshās (monsoon seasons) at Mithilā. Akampita Swāmi, one of his 11 ganadharas, was born in Mithilā. Additionally, as per ancient Śvetāmbara texts, a branch of ancient Jaina ascetics was known as "Maithiliya" after Mithilā, signifying its historical importance as a center of Jaina scholarship.
Vividha Tirtha Kalpa, a 14th century CE Śvetāmbara Jaina text by Ācārya Jinaprabhasūrī, describes Mithilā as a major Jaina pilgrimage center. The scripture locates Mithilā in the Tirhuta region near the confluence of the Bāna Gangā and Gandaki rivers. It also mentions a village called "Jagai", where temples dedicated to Mallinātha and Naminātha existed. The site is also connected to Sita's marriage, "Sakulla Kunda". Some researchers suggest that "Jagai" may be an abbreviation of Jagadishpur, near present-day Sitamarhi. In their pilgrimage parties of 17th century CE and 18th century CE respectively, Panyās Saubhāgyavijaya and Panyās Vijayasāgara mention the location of the Jaina pilgrimage of Mithilā near present-day Sitamarhi in Bihar.
The temples fell into disrepair, possibly due to a lack of Jaina population. The only remnant was the footprints of Mallinātha and Naminātha. These footprints were later preserved in Bhāgalpur. Based on historical evidence and research, initiatives to restore Mithilā’s lost Jaina heritage were launched. A two-storey temple along the Sitamarhi-Dumra road was constructed. In 2015, the foundation was laid by Ācārya Mahendrasāgarasūrī of Kharatara Gaccha. In 2020, the ritualistic installation of idols was conducted by Ācārya Piyushsāgarasūrī of Kharatara Gaccha and Ācārya Vinayasāgarasūrī of Tapa Gaccha.
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History of the Mithila region
Mithila (IAST: mithilā, also known as Mithilanchal, Tirhut and Tirabhukti) is a geographical and cultural region located in the Indian subcontinent. The native language is known as Maithili and its speakers are referred to as Maithils. The majority of the Mithila region falls within modern-day India. Mithila is bounded in the north by the Himalayas, and in the south, west and east by the Ganges, Gandaki and Mahananda respectively. It extends into the southeastern Terai of Nepal. This region was also called Tirabhukti, the ancient name of Tirhut.
Historically, the region was called by multiple names. The name Mithila is believed to be derived from the legendary King Mithi who established Mithilapuri.
Among the twelve[citation needed] names of Mithila, including Tirhut and Tirabhukti, Brihada Vishnu Purana mentions the name Tirabhukti, which later became known as Tirhut in common use. Tirabhukti is a Sanskrit compound word, a combination of tira ("shore") and bhukti (in the meaning of "limit"). The name Tirhut is preserved in Tirhuta script of the Maithili language and Tirhut division in the Mithila region
Vijayakanta Mishra, an Indian scholar, in his book "Cultural Heritage of Mithila" stated that the word Tirabhukti which is mentioned in the text of Brihada Vishnu Purana became popular during the period of 4th- th centuries AD in the Indian subcontinent to denote the Mithila region. Later, the word Tirhut became common designation of the Mithila region for the administrative purposes.
Mithilā is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Jainism. Apart from its association with Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, it is also known for its association with Mallinatha, the 19th Tirthankara, and Naminatha, the 21st Tirthankara. As per the Śvetāmbara canon, the first four of the five significant events of the life of Mallinātha and Naminātha happened at Mithilā. The fifth one, which is the attainment of nirvana, happened at Sammet Shikharji.
Mahavira spent 6 varshās (monsoon seasons) at Mithilā. Akampita Swāmi, one of his 11 ganadharas, was born in Mithilā. Additionally, as per ancient Śvetāmbara texts, a branch of ancient Jaina ascetics was known as "Maithiliya" after Mithilā, signifying its historical importance as a center of Jaina scholarship.
Vividha Tirtha Kalpa, a 14th century CE Śvetāmbara Jaina text by Ācārya Jinaprabhasūrī, describes Mithilā as a major Jaina pilgrimage center. The scripture locates Mithilā in the Tirhuta region near the confluence of the Bāna Gangā and Gandaki rivers. It also mentions a village called "Jagai", where temples dedicated to Mallinātha and Naminātha existed. The site is also connected to Sita's marriage, "Sakulla Kunda". Some researchers suggest that "Jagai" may be an abbreviation of Jagadishpur, near present-day Sitamarhi. In their pilgrimage parties of 17th century CE and 18th century CE respectively, Panyās Saubhāgyavijaya and Panyās Vijayasāgara mention the location of the Jaina pilgrimage of Mithilā near present-day Sitamarhi in Bihar.
The temples fell into disrepair, possibly due to a lack of Jaina population. The only remnant was the footprints of Mallinātha and Naminātha. These footprints were later preserved in Bhāgalpur. Based on historical evidence and research, initiatives to restore Mithilā’s lost Jaina heritage were launched. A two-storey temple along the Sitamarhi-Dumra road was constructed. In 2015, the foundation was laid by Ācārya Mahendrasāgarasūrī of Kharatara Gaccha. In 2020, the ritualistic installation of idols was conducted by Ācārya Piyushsāgarasūrī of Kharatara Gaccha and Ācārya Vinayasāgarasūrī of Tapa Gaccha.