“Kampilyapur Teerth”

Abstract

This article describes the history and spirituality concerns in the Kampil villages of Uttar Pradesh and its importance for being the birth place of the thirteenth Jain Tirthankara – Shri Vimalnath. Kampil the site situated in Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh known as Kaimganj is the holy abode of both Svetambara and Digambara and holds a lot of historical and religious importance in the Jain culture In dramatic literature Kampil is described as the more important place of pilgrimage the most sacred, the most revered site and provide a base for the scholars. The data described in the text shows the main stages of the life path of Lord Vimalnath: birth, initiation, receiving Kevalgyan, and nirvana. It provides information about the current aspect of the village and its mention in Jain history – various Jain great men of the village and its mention in the classical texts of Vividha Tirthakalpa by Jainacharya Jinprabha Suriji Maharaj. Nevertheless, it seems that Kampil is not as popular a site of Jain pilgrimage compared with other locations and the texts that discuss it are not as numerous, Kampil’s significance can be established also owing to its long history and the fact that it could be considered a pilgrimage site for both of the main branches of Jainism. Drawing on the facts and fictions to read the Jain texts and history, the article supports an endeavor to unveil the spiritual significance of Kampil and its vitality as spiritual and cultural memory.