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101-627: They were formerly also found in the Tharparkar district of Sindh ( pre-partition ). According to a legend, in 457 BC, Ratnaprabhasuri was at Mount Abu , and demi-goddess Chakreshvari appeared before him and urged him to spread the word of Jainism and save animals from religious violence in Maru Pradesh . She said that Swayamprabhasuri could not go beyond Śrīmal and Padmavati . He agreed to her and started moving towards Rajasthan with his 500 disciples. Upon reaching, he and his disciples started

202-408: A tirthankara . According to the texts, he was born as Marichi (the son of Bharata Chakravartin ) in a previous life. Yativṛṣabha 's Tiloya-paṇṇatti recounts nearly all the events of Mahavira's life in a form convenient for memorisation. Jinasena's Mahapurana (which includes the Ādi purāṇa and Uttara-purāṇa ) was completed by his disciple, Gunabhadra , in the 8th   century. In

303-570: A "very elaborate belief in the soul" (unlike the Buddhists, who denied such elaboration). His ascetic teachings have a higher order of magnitude than those of Buddhism or Hinduism, and his emphasis on ahimsa (non-violence) is greater than that in other Indian religions. Mahavira's teachings were compiled by Gautama Swami , his Ganadhara (chief disciple). The canonical scriptures are in twelve parts. Mahavira's teachings were gradually lost after about 300   BCE, according to Jain tradition, when

404-399: A better rebirth, or (ultimately) liberation. According to Chakravarthi, these teachings help improve a person's quality of life. However, Dundas writes that Mahavira's emphasis on non-violence and restraint has been interpreted by some Jain scholars to "not be driven by merit from giving or compassion to other creatures, nor a duty to rescue all creatures" but by "continual self discipline":

505-452: A cleansing of the soul which leads to spiritual development and release. Mahavira is best remembered in the Indian traditions for his teaching that ahimsa is the supreme moral virtue. He taught that ahimsa covers all living beings, and injuring any being in any form creates bad karma (which affects one's rebirth, future well-being, and suffering). According to Mahatma Gandhi , Mahavira

606-435: A doctrine about the nature of reality and human existence, not about tolerating religious positions such as sacrificing animals (or killing them for food) or violence against nonbelievers (or any other living being) as "perhaps right". The five vows for Jain monks and nuns are strict requirements, with no "perhaps". Mahavira's Jainism co-existed with Buddhism and Hinduism beyond the renunciant Jain communities, but each religion

707-452: A few years later". The place of his nirvana, Pavapuri in present-day Bihar, is a pilgrimage site for Jains. According to Jain cosmology , 24 Tirthankaras have appeared on earth; Mahavira is the last tirthankara of Avasarpiṇī (the present time cycle ). A tirthankara ( ford -maker, saviour or spiritual teacher) signifies the founding of a tirtha , a passage across the sea of birth-and-death cycles . Tirthankara Mahavira

808-443: A fire, or wave their arms in the air; such actions might injure other beings living in those states of matter. Mahavira preached that the nature of existence is cyclic, and the soul is reborn after death in one of the trilok  – the heavenly, hellish, or earthly realms of existence and suffering. Humans are reborn, depending on one's karma (actions) as a human, animal, element, microbe, or other form, on earth or in

909-498: A half years in which he did not even sit for a time, attained Kevalgyana and then preached Dharma for thirty years. Where he preached has been a subject of disagreement between the two major traditions of Jainism: Śvētāmbara and Digambara traditions. It is uncertain when Mahavira was born and when he died. One view is that Mahavira was born in 540   BCE and died in 443   BCE. The Barli Inscription in Prakrit language which

1010-410: A half years, after which he attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience). He preached for 30 years and attained moksha (liberation) in the 6th century BCE, although the year varies by sect . Mahavira taught attainment of samyak darshan or self realization through the practice of bhedvijnāna , which involves positioning oneself as a pure soul, separate from body, mind and emotions, and being aware of

1111-454: A heavenly (or hellish) realm. Nothing is permanent; everyone (including gods, demons and earthly beings) dies and is reborn, based on their actions in their previous life. Jinas who have reached Kevala Jnana ( omniscience ) are not reborn; they enter the siddhaloka , the "realm of the perfected ones". Mahavira is erroneously called the founder of Jainism, but Jains believe that the 23 previous tirthankaras also espoused it. Mahavira

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1212-484: A key role in the progression towards self-realization. It serves as a stepping stone in the process of spiritual awakening, where the aspirant first becomes aware of their mistaken identity with the non-soul as their witness ( bhed-nasti ), and later become aware of the existence and true nature of the soul itself ( asti ). This process ultimately leads to the direct experience of the soul in a state of pure awareness, destroying karmic attachments. In Jainism, this knowledge

1313-719: A monitoring commission was formed to oversee the Sindh government's administration of the district. The Benazir Income Support Programme and the United Nations' World Food Programme agreed to take steps to reduce food insecurity in Tharparkar. In 2019, Pakistan was provided with US$ 362,000 and 4,727 mt of food assistance. As a part of humanitarian efforts, 287,000 families in Tharparkar each received 50 kg of wheat 12 times. Additionally, 500 houses were provided to house Thari people. 750 small-scale water plants were constructed in

1414-606: A month-long penance on a small hill just outside the town. When it was time to break the fast, his disciples entered the town to beg for alms. They could not find food ' free from 42 faults ' as all residents of the town worshipped Chamunda , performed animal sacrifice , and consumed food unfit for Jain monks. In such situation, it was getting difficult for monks to survive and Ratnaprabhasuri ordered all his disciples to begin moving to another city. Legends say that demi-goddesses Chamunda and Chakreshvari are friendly to one another. Due to this relationship between them and knowing that

1515-453: A number of aspects. Reality can be experienced, but it is impossible to express it fully with language alone; human attempts to communicate are nayas ("partial expression[s] of the truth"). Language itself is not truth, but a means of expressing it. From truth, according to Mahavira, language returns—not the other way around. One can experience the "truth" of a taste, but cannot fully express that taste through language. Any attempt to express

1616-415: A part of the same cycle of birth and death. The goal of spiritual practice is to liberate the jiva from its karmic accumulation and enter the realm of the siddhas , souls who are liberated from rebirth. Enlightenment, to Mahavira, is the consequence of self awareness, self-cultivation and restraint from materialism. Mahavira also taught the concept of Bhedvijnān, or the science of distinguishing between

1717-532: A piece of burning camphor. Mahavira's previous births are recounted in Jain texts such as the Mahapurana and Tri-shashti-shalaka-purusha-charitra . Although a soul undergoes countless reincarnations in the transmigratory cycle of saṃsāra , the birth of a tirthankara is reckoned from the time he determines the causes of karma and pursues ratnatraya . Jain texts describe Mahavira's 26 births before his incarnation as

1818-480: A separate district headed by a British Deputy Commissioner, with a political superintendent at Amarkot . In 1906, it was reorganized as the Thar and Parkar district and the district headquarters was moved from Amarkot to Mirpur Khas . Prior to the partition of India, there was a very strong cultural and trading connection between Tharparkar, Gujarat and Rajasthan , which continued for some years after partition before

1919-528: A severe famine in the Magadha kingdom dispersed the Jain monks. Attempts were made by later monks to gather, recite the canon, and re-establish it. These efforts identified differences in recitations of Mahavira's teachings, and an attempt was made in the 5th   century CE to reconcile the differences. The reconciliation efforts failed, with Svetambara and Digambara Jain traditions holding their own incomplete, somewhat-different versions of Mahavira's teachings. In

2020-432: A subject of efforts of numerous major NGOs , including USAID , DFID and several branches of the United Nations, no detailed, statistical report on water resources and measures to improve the situation has been published by the government. Thari people face various issues due to waterborne diseases , inadequate health facilities, famine , and lack of basic infrastructure. As of 2014, there were 140 health facilities in

2121-424: A woman is unable to fully practice asceticism and cannot achieve spiritual liberation because of her gender; she can, at best, live an ethical life so she is reborn as a man. According to this view, women are seen as a threat to a monk's chastity. Mahavira had preached about men and women equality. The Svetambaras have interpreted Mahavira's teaching as encouraging both sexes to pursue a mendicant, ascetic life with

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2222-455: Is 21%. Urban areas saw a 32% immunization rate (16% of males and 48% of females), while rural areas saw a 20% rate (26% of males and 14% of females). (2013-2015) (2005-2015) Tharparkar district is predominantly rural, with 96% of the population residing outside of urban areas. The primary economic activity of the district is agriculture, while the much smaller urban population carries out activities related to agriculture. While

2323-608: Is a district in Sindh province in Pakistan , headquartered at Mithi . Before Indian independence it was known as the Thar and Parkar (1901⁠–⁠1947) or Eastern Sindh Frontier District (1860⁠–⁠1901). The district is the largest in Sindh, and has the largest Hindu population in Pakistan . It has the lowest Human Development Index rating of all the districts in Sindh. Currently the Sindh government

2424-449: Is bound to saṃsāra (transmigration) because of karma (the effects of one's actions). Karma, in Jainism, includes actions and intent; it colors the soul ( lesya ), affecting how, where, and as what a soul is reborn after death. According to Mahavira, there is no creator deity and existence has neither beginning nor end. Deities and demons however exist in Jainism , whose jivas are

2525-560: Is called Nigantha Nātaputta), and is a key difference between the teachings of Mahavira and those of the Buddha. The Buddha taught the Middle Way , rejecting the extremes of "it is" or "it is not"; Mahavira accepted both "it is" and "it is not", with reconciliation and the qualification of "perhaps". The Jain Agamas suggest that Mahavira's approach to answering metaphysical , philosophical questions

2626-661: Is celebrated as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and his nirvana (liberation) and also his first shishya of Gautama Swami is observed by Jains as Diwali . Historically, Mahavira, who revived and preached Jainism in ancient India, was an older contemporary of Gautama Buddha . Jains celebrate Mahavir Janma Kalyanak every year on the 13th day of the Indian Calendar month of Chaitra . Surviving early Jain and Buddhist literature uses several names (or epithets ) for Mahavira, including Nayaputta , Muni , Samana , Nigantha , Brahman , and Bhagavan . In early Buddhist sutras , he

2727-452: Is considered the foundation for developing right belief (samyak darshan) and attaining samyak gyan ( omniscience ). Mahavira taught the doctrine of anekantavada (many-sided reality). Although the word does not appear in the earliest Jain literature or the Agamas, the doctrine is illustrated in Mahavira's answers to questions posed by his followers. Truth and reality are complex, and have

2828-409: Is considered the most suitable area for sheep in the province. 70.3% of farms use animals as a source of power for plowing land. The percentage of donkeys in the livestock population is notably high, especially for an arid region, with the percentage in Tharparkar being higher than other areas in Pakistan. Despite the size and economic importance of the livestock population, only 12 veterinarians serve

2929-462: Is placed in Parshvanatha's lineage as his spiritual successor and ultimate leader of shraman sangha. Parshvanatha was born 273 years before Mahavira. Parshvanatha , a tirthankara whom modern Western historians consider a historical figure, lived in about the 8th century BCE. Jain texts suggest that Mahavira's parents were lay devotees of Parshvanatha. When Mahavira revived the Jain community in

3030-505: Is planning to divide the Tharparkar district into Tharparkar and Chhachro district . The name Tharparkar originates from a portmanteau of the words Thar (referring to the Thar Desert ), and parkar (meaning "to cross over"). The Thar region was historically fertile, although it was mostly desertified between 2000 BCE and 1500 BCE. Before its desertification, a tributary of the Indus River

3131-516: Is referred to as Araha ("worthy") and Veyavi (derived from "Vedas", but meaning "wise"). He is known as Sramana in the Kalpa Sūtra , "devoid of love and hate". According to later Jain texts, Mahavira's childhood name was Vardhamāna ("the one who grows") because of the kingdom's prosperity at the time of his birth. According to the Kalpasutras , he was called Mahavira ("the great hero") by

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3232-555: Is represented by constituencies 221 and 222 . In the 2018 elections , both national constituencies and three of the four provincial constituencies were won by the PPP, while one provincial seat was won by the Grand Democratic Alliance . Pakistan's estimated 185.175 billion tonnes of lignite coal reserves are the 7th largest in the world. Tharparkar district alone is estimated to hold 175.506 billion tonnes (95%) of

3333-515: Is said to have lived in Rajagriha during the rainy season of the forty-first year of his ascetic life, which is traditionally dated to 491   BCE. According to traditional accounts, Mahavira achieved Kevala Jnana (omniscience, or infinite knowledge) under a Sāla tree on the bank of the River Rijubalika near Jrimbhikagrama at age 43 after twelve years of rigorous penance. The details of

3434-504: Is supported by much ancient Buddhist literature. A firmly-established part of the Jain tradition is that the Vira Nirvana Samvat era began in 527   BCE (with Mahavira's nirvana). The 12th-century Jain scholar Hemachandracharya placed Mahavira in the 6th   century BCE. According to Jain tradition, the traditional date of 527   BCE is accurate; the Buddha was younger than Mahavira and "might have attained nirvana

3535-525: Is the focus of Jain temple devotion. Of the 24 tirthankaras , Jain iconography has celebrated Mahavira and Parshvanatha the most; sculptures discovered at the Mathura archaeological site have been dated to the 1st   century BCE. According to Moriz Winternitz , Mahavira may be considered a reformer of an existing Jain sect known as Niganthas (fetter-less) which was mentioned in early Buddhist texts. The Barli Inscription dating back to 443 BCE contains

3636-421: The mahavratas (Five Vows). He delivered fifty-five pravachana (recitations) and a set of lectures ( Uttaraadhyayana-sutra ). Chandana is believed to be the leader of female monastic order. According to Jain texts, Mahavira's nirvana (death) occurred in the town of Pawapuri in present-day Bihar . His life as a spiritual light and the night of his nirvana are commemorated by Jains as Diwali at

3737-434: The Ācārāṅga Sūtra recounts his asceticism. Colonial-era Indologists considered Jainism (and Mahavira's followers) a sect of Buddhism because of superficial similarities in iconography and meditative and ascetic practices. As scholarship progressed, differences between the teachings of Mahavira and the Buddha were found so divergent that the religions were acknowledged as separate. Mahavira, says Moriz Winternitz, taught

3838-761: The Cutch Agency and Hyderabad Collectorate. The government of British India divided Sindh into Collectorates, or districts, administered by British-appointed Zamindars . Sindh was later made part of the Bombay Presidency of British India . In 1858, the entire area around Tharparkar became part of the Hyderabad District , and in 1860 the region was established as a subdivision of Hyderabad district and renamed as Eastern Sindh Frontier , with its headquarters at Amarkot . In 1882 , Eastern Sindh Frontier subdivision bifurcated from Hyderabad District and established

3939-589: The Gregorian calendar , and is celebrated by Jains as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak . Kshatriyakund (the place of Mahavira's birth) is traditionally believed to be near Vaishali, an ancient town on the Indo-Gangetic Plain . Its location in present-day Bihar is unclear, partly because of migrations from ancient Bihar for economic and political reasons. According to the "Universal History" in Jain texts, Mahavira underwent many rebirths (total 27 births) before his birth in

4040-531: The Jain Agamas . The texts, transmitted orally by Jain monks, are believed to have been largely lost by about the 1st century CE. Mahavira is usually depicted in a sitting or standing meditative posture, with the symbol of a lion beneath him. His earliest iconography is from archaeological sites in the North Indian city of Mathura , and is dated from between the 1st century BCE and the 2nd century CE. His birth

4141-948: The Sammas , the Arghuns , the Kalhoras , and the Talpurs . These rulers mainly focused on the central and western parts of Sindh while the eastern areas, including Tharparkar were largely disregarded. In 1843, as a part of the British conquest of large parts of the Indian subcontinent , Charles James Napier , the Commander-in-Chief of the Presidency Armies , defeated the Talpur dynasty and conquered Sindh. The conquered areas, including Tharparkar, were incorporated into

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4242-538: The Upkeśa Gaccha . Tharparkar district Provincial PS-54 Tharparkar-I - Abdul Razzaque PS-55 Tharparkar-II - Muhammad Qasim Soomro PS-56 Tharparkar-III - Faqir Sher Muhammad Bilalani PS-57 Tharparkar-IV - Arbab Lutfullah National NA-221 Tharparkar-I - Pir Noor Muhammad Shah Jeelani Tharparkar ( Dhatki / Sindhi : ٿرپارڪر ; Urdu : تھرپارکر , Urdu pronunciation: [t̪ʰəɾpɑːɾkəɾ] ), also known as Thar ,

4343-458: The Uttara-purāṇa , Mahavira's life is described in three parvans , or sections, (74–76) and 1,818 verses. Vardhamacharitra is a Sanskrit kāvya poem, written by Asaga in 853 CE , which narrates the life of Mahavira. The Kalpa Sūtra is a collection of biographies of tirthankaras , notably Parshvanatha and Mahavira. Samavayanga Sutra is a collection of Mahavira's teachings, and

4444-417: The twelve vows of householders and five vows of Jain monks that lead to Ratnatraya and eventual moksha . He condemned the consumption of alcohol and meat sternly and on giving up animal sacrifice. He also insisted upon embracing non-violence. Further, he preached about establishing Jain temples , installing icons of Tirthankaras , and worshipping them regularly. Everyone regretted their acts of violence

4545-399: The "Thar Coal & Energy Board" (TCEB), a statutory corporation that would directly administer the extraction and use of Tharparkar's large energy resources. Mahavira Mahavira ( Devanagari : महावीर, Mahāvīra ), also known as Vardhamana (Devanagari: वर्धमान, Vardhamāna ), was the 24th Tirthankara (Supreme Preacher) of Jainism . He was the spiritual successor of

4646-421: The 1st   century CE, guided the Āchāryas Pushpadant and Bhutabali as they wrote down the teachings. The two Āchāryas wrote Ṣaṭkhaṅḍāgama , among the oldest-known Digambara texts, on palm leaves. The Jain Agamas enumerate five vratas (vows) which ascetics and householders must observe. These ethical principles were preached by Mahavira: The goal of these principles is to achieve spiritual peace,

4747-557: The 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanatha . Mahavira was born in the early 6th century BCE to a royal Kshatriya Jain family of ancient India . His mother's name was Trishala and his father's name was Siddhartha . According to the second chapter of the Śvētāmbara Ācārāṅga Sūtra , Siddhartha and his family were devotees of Parshvanatha . Mahavira abandoned all worldly possessions at the age of about 30 and left home in pursuit of spiritual awakening, becoming an ascetic . Mahavira practiced intense meditation and severe austerities for twelve and

4848-415: The 6th century BCE, ahimsa was already an established, strictly observed rule. The followers of Parshvanatha vowed to observe ahimsa ; this obligation was part of their caujjama dhamma (Fourfold Restraint). According to Dundas, Jains believe that the lineage of Parshvanatha influenced Mahavira. Parshvanatha, as the one who "removes obstacles and has the capacity to save", is a popular icon; his image

4949-418: The 6th-century BCE. They included a denizen of hell, a lion, and a god ( deva ) in a heavenly realm just before his last birth as the 24th tirthankara . Svetambara texts state that his embryo first formed in a Brahman woman before it was transferred by Hari-Naigamesin (the divine commander of Indra's army) to the womb of Trishala, Siddhartha's wife. The embryo-transfer legend is not believed by adherents of

5050-604: The 9 days of the Navaratri . After a lengthy sermon by Ratnaprabhasuri, Chāmundā realized that violence was not the correct way and attained the Ratnatraya . She became a samyaktvi (one of right faith, knowledge, and conduct) demi-goddess. She was renamed to Sacchiya Mātā by Ratnaprabhasuri and was consecrated as the adhiśthāyikā ( transl.  protecting deity ) of the Mahavira Jain temple, Osian . A shrine dedicated to her

5151-648: The Digambara believe that he remained in his Samavasarana and delivered sermons to his followers. Jain texts document eleven Brahmanas as Mahavira's first disciples, traditionally known as the eleven Ganadharas . Indrabhuti Gautama is believed to have been their leader, and the others included Agnibhuti, Vayubhuti, Akampita, Arya Vyakta, Sudharman , Manditaputra, Mauryaputra, Acalabhraataa, Metraya, and Prabhasa. The Ganadharas are believed to have remembered and to have verbally transmitted Mahavira's teachings after his death. His teachings became known as Gani-Pidaga , or

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5252-455: The Digambara tradition holds that date of 468 BCE. In both traditions, his jiva (soul) is believed to abide in Siddhashila (the home of liberated souls). Mahavira's Jal Mandir stands at the place where he is said to have attained nirvana ( moksha ). Artworks in Jain temples and texts depict his final liberation and cremation, sometimes shown symbolically as a small pyre of sandalwood and

5353-477: The Digambara tradition. Jain texts state that after Mahavira was born, the god Indra came from the heavens along with 56 digkumaries , anointed him, and performed his abhisheka (consecration) on Mount Meru . These events, illustrated in a number of Jain temples, play a part in modern Jain temple rituals. Although the Kalpa Sūtra accounts of Mahavira's birth legends are recited by Svetambara Jains during

5454-497: The Jain Agamas . According to Kalpa Sutra , Mahavira had 14,000 sadhus (male ascetic devotees), 36,000 sadhvis (female ascetics), 159,000 sravakas (male lay followers), and 318,000 sravikas (female lay followers). Jain tradition mentions Srenika and Kunika of Haryanka dynasty (popularly known as Bimbisara and Ajatashatru ) and Chetaka of Videha as his royal followers. Mahavira initiated his mendicants with

5555-832: The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) directed the Sindh Chief Secretary to submit a report on cases of infant mortality. According to Saeed Ghani , Sindh's minister for Local Government, Public Health Engineering and Rural Development, and Katchi Abadies, a mobile app was introduced to assist with the distribution of wheat . However, no such app was actually created, and the system continues to rely on XLS / PDF files, and web resources, that weren't widely distributed. According to legislator Mahesh Kumar Malani , Rs 15 billion has been spent for development projects in nine years and further development plans worth Rs 18 billion are under way to improve

5656-522: The annual Paryushana festival, the same festival is observed by the Digambaras without the recitation. Mahavira grew up as a prince. According to the second chapter of the Śvētāmbara text Ācārāṅga Sūtra , his parents were lay devotees of Parshvanatha . Jain traditions differ about whether Mahavira married. The Digambara tradition believes that his parents wanted him to marry Yashoda, but he refused to marry. The Śvētāmbara tradition believes that he

5757-559: The area. The Human Development Index (HDI) of Tharparkar is 0.227. In Pakistan's 2017 HDI report, Tharparkar ranked 109th out of 114 surveyed districts, a drop from its rank as 103rd in 2013, the lowest ranking of any district in Sindh. Tharparkar also ranked among the ten worst districts for HDI growth between 2005 and 2015. The UNDP 's Multidimensional Poverty Index for Pakistan reports that 87% of population in Tharparkar lives under poverty . Due to Tharparkar's poor conditions, including its low HDI and high infant mortality rate,

5858-704: The border became sealed. Large parts of Tharparkar were captured by Indian forces during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971 in the Chachro Raid . They were returned to Pakistan only after signing of the Shimla Pact in 1972. On 31 October 1990 the district was divided into the Tharparkar and Mirpur Khas Districts . On 17 April 1993, Umerkot District was carved out of Tharparkar. Tharparkar district lies between 69° 3′ 35″ E and 71° 7′ 47″ E longitudes , and between 24° 9′ 35″ N and 25° 43′ 6″ N latitudes . To its east,

5959-469: The country's energy sector. Such investments have included a 600 MW producing project implemented by the Chinese Shenhua Group , and the 1200 MW producing Thar Engro Coal Power Project . In Pakistan, mineral mining operations are subject to provincial administration. However, in 2011, to encourage large-scale investment in coal mining, the federal government authorized the creation of

6060-642: The district at a cost of Rs 7.5 billion. The Thar Foundation , a joint venture of the Sindh government and Engro has planned to build a 250-bed hospital at a cost of Rs 2 billion in Tharparkar. The first 82-bed block was completed in February 2019. Despite humanitarian initiatives by provincial, federal and international authorities, the region has seen little improvement, especially in its infant mortality rate, which sees around 1,500 children die annually. Between January and October 2019 84 infants died, while in total, 703 children died. In 2016,

6161-578: The district borders the Jaisalmer , Barmer and Jalore districts of Rajasthan in India. To the south, it borders the Kutch district of Gujarat in India. Umerkot district lies to its north while Badin and Mirpur Khas districts are to its west. The district has a tropical semi arid ( Köppen : BSh ) climate. During summer , it is extremely hot during the day, while nights are much cooler. April, May and June are

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6262-612: The district was represented in the Provincial Assembly of Sindh by constituencies 60, 61, 62, and 63. The 2008 elections saw three of those constituencies represented by members of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PMLQ), and one by a member of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). During the 2013 elections , three candidates from the PPP and one from the Pakistan Muslim League (N) won. Before 2018, Tharparkar

6363-514: The district's 2,011,000 hectares of land are cultivated. 94% of the district's households own some form of livestock, while 77.64% of the population is actively engaged in livestock management. The average household owns 8 animals, and an estimated 7.7 million animals make up the total livestock population of the district. Sheep are especially important to the district's livestock economy, with 3 million kg of wool produced annually. Tharparkar holds 40% of Sindh's sheep population, and

6464-799: The district, including a district headquarters hospital with a capacity of 50 beds and 3 tehsil headquarters hospitals with capacities of 80 beds each. When compared to World Health Organization standards, these facilities were sufficient for only 54% of the population, while bedding capabilities were sufficient for only 6%. In Tharparkar, an average 85% of births take place at home, with home births constituting 56% of urban births and 87% of rural births. Tharparkar ranks lowest in Sindh for births assisted by skilled attendants, with only 16% deliveries performed in that manner. On average, only about 25% of pregnant women receive tetanus toxoid injections (25% in rural areas and 37% in urban areas). The overall percentage of infants aged 12–23 who receive full immunization

6565-556: The district. Art and artisanry have been part of Thari society since the Indus Valley civilisation . Common handicrafts include ralli , pottery , puppet-making, carpet-making, traditional decoration, block printing , cobbling , and embroidery, among others. In Chachro taluka alone there are 6,000 handlooms , despite the lack of a centralized facility. The sale of these products supplement local incomes, and provide economic opportunities, especially for women. Between 2002 and 2018,

6666-449: The early centuries of the common era, Jain texts containing Mahavira's teachings were written in palm-leaf manuscripts . According to the Digambaras, Āchārya Bhutabali was the last ascetic with partial knowledge of the original canon. Later, some learned achāryas restored, compiled, and wrote down the teachings of Mahavira which were the subjects of the Agamas . Āchārya Dharasena, in

6767-410: The entire town converted to Jainism. Several Jain temples were established several icons were consecrated. Ratnaprabhasuri also wrote several non-canonical scriptures such as Tattvamimansa , Tattvavichār etc. Uppaladeva's minister Uhada was already establishing a temple dedicated to Vishnu . However, the construction was being hindered. Ratnaprabhasuri suggested him to construct it with Mahavira as

6868-571: The event are described in the Jain Uttar-purāņa and Harivamśa-purāņa texts. The Ācārāṅga Sūtra describes Mahavira as all-seeing. The Sutrakritanga expands it to all-knowing, and describes his other qualities. Jains believe that Mahavira had a most auspicious body ( paramaudārika śarīra ) and was free from eighteen imperfections when he attained omniscience. According to the Śvētāmbara, he traveled throughout India to teach his philosophy for thirty years after attaining omniscience. However,

6969-515: The experience is syāt : valid "in some respect", but still a "perhaps, just one perspective, incomplete". Spiritual truths are also complex, with multiple aspects, and language cannot express their plurality; however, they can be experienced through effort and appropriate karma. Mahavira's anekantavada doctrine is also summarized in Buddhist texts such as the Samaññaphala Sutta (in which he

7070-483: The false identification of the soul with material objects, including the body and mind. The teachings of bhedvijnān guide an individual to recognize what is truly the soul and what is not. By distinguishing between the pure soul and the transient elements of life, one can cultivate detachment (vairagya) and move toward liberation (moksha). This was expounded in detail in works of Acharya Kundkund , Acharya Haribhadra , Yashovijaya and Shrimad Rajchandra . Bhedvigyan plays

7171-621: The gods in the Kalpa Sūtra because he remained steadfast in the midst of dangers, fears, hardships and calamities. He is also known as a tirthankara . It is universally accepted by scholars of Jainism that Mahavira lived in ancient India. According to the Digambara Uttarapurana text, Mahavira was born in Kundagrama in the Kingdom of the Videhas ; the Śvētāmbara Kalpa Sūtra uses

7272-431: The hottest months and December, January and February are the coldest months. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures during winter are 28 °C and 9 °C, respectively. There are wide fluctuations in annual rainfall and the yearly average in some areas is as low as 100 mm. Most precipitation occurs between July and September, during the south-west monsoon . Since 1997 the highest recorded annual rainfall

7373-506: The lack of devotion in Jains and questioning Jainism's antiquity. Ratnaprabhasuri's disciple Vīrdhawalopādhyāya countered this claim by stating accounts of Jainism in the Brahmin scriptures. Ratnaprabhasuri concluded the debate stating that they have no benefit in people accepting or rejecting Jainism and that it is their moral duty to spread the word of Jainism. Brahmins eventually lost the debate and

7474-517: The land there. He found an idol of the 24th Tirthankara Mahavira . They urged Ratnaprabhasuri to consecrate this idol in the temple. However, the preceptor knew that the idol was unfinished and needed 7 more days to be completely sculpted by the demi-goddess. However, looking at the excitement and devotion among the people, he allowed digging and taking the idol out. Chamunda was angered by this and forced every householder to sacrifice one goat and every household to sacrifice one buffalo every day during

7575-449: The latter denied stating that he had given up his kingdom at Mount Vaitādhya to become a monk. He said that he would not accept any such materialistic repayment. The people requested him to deliver a sermon. He delivered an impactful sermon on the various bodies a soul wanders in and how rare a birth a human is. He emphasized that in such a rare state, one should perform acts of righteousness and embrace non-violence. He then preached about

7676-487: The main food source and economic base of Tharparkar comes from livestock management, farming and artisanry are also important factors. Despite the arid climate and generally poor conditions for growing crops, the majority of the Thari people are employed by some form of farming. Most of the area relies on scant rainfall to irrigate farmland, however, in some areas of Nagarparkar taluka, tube wells are used. 1,014,000 (50.4%) of

7777-407: The moment his sermon ended. All residents of the town, along with King Uppaldeva accepted Jainism wholeheartedly. Shaiva Brahmins were infuriated looking at the influence of Ratnaprabhasuri on the residents of the town. They demanded a Śāstrārtha ( transl.  debate on religious ideologies and scriptures ). Ratnaprabhasuri and his 35 disciples agreed to it. The Brahmins began by stating

7878-437: The monks sent by Chakreshvari were going away, Chamunda met Ratnaprabhasuri and urged him to stay for c haturmasya . He ordered monks who would not be able to perform severe penance to start walking towards another town. 465 monks left and 35 monks stayed with him. Uppaldeva's daughter Saubhāgyadevi was married to his minister Uhada's son. He was bitten by a snake and all forms of treatment did not help revive him. When he

7979-465: The nails and hair of tirthankaras are left behind; the rest of the body dissolves in the air like camphor . In some texts Mahavira is described, at age 72, as delivering his final preaching over a six-day period to a large group of people. The crowd falls asleep, awakening to find that he has disappeared (leaving only his nails and hair, which his followers cremate). The Jain Śvētāmbara tradition believes that Mahavira's nirvana occurred in 527 BCE, and

8080-401: The name "Kundagrama", said to be located in present-day Bihar, India. Although it is thought to be the town of Basu Kund, about 60 kilometres (37 miles) north of Patna (the capital of Bihar), his birthplace remains a subject of dispute. Mahavira renounced his material wealth and left home when he was twenty-eight, by some accounts (thirty by others), lived an ascetic life for twelve and

8181-427: The national reserves, the energy contents of which would surpass the combined energy of the resource reserves of Saudi Arabia and Iran . In Pakistan, companies generating power are completely exempted from the payment of income tax , as well as turnover tax . Additionally, imports from prospective sponsors of coal power generation projects are exempted from tariffs. This is done in order to encourage investment in

8282-485: The possibility of moksha ( kaivalya , spiritual liberation). Rebirth and realms of existence are fundamental teachings of Mahavira. According to the Acaranga Sutra , Mahavira believed that life existed in myriad forms which included animals, plants, insects, bodies of water, fire, and wind. He taught that a monk should avoid touching or disturbing any of them (including plants) and never swim, light (or extinguish)

8383-404: The principal deity. The temple was ready. The residents of the town asked Ratnaprabhasuri about an icon to consecrate. He knew that Chamunda was preparing one using sand and the milk of a cow, so he asked the residents to keep patience. According to scriptural and local legends, one day, the cowherd saw his cow discharging milk at a part in the village. He informed Minister Uhada and the latter dug

8484-592: The pursuit of spiritual awakening. He undertook severe fasts and bodily mortifications, meditated under the Ashoka tree , and discarded his clothes. The Ācārāṅga Sūtra has a graphic description of his hardships and self-mortification. According to the Kalpa Sūtra , Mahavira spent the first forty-two monsoons of his life in Astikagrama, Champapuri , Prstichampa, Vaishali, Vanijagrama, Nalanda , Mithila , Bhadrika, Alabhika, Panitabhumi, Shravasti , and Pawapuri . He

8585-544: The same time that Hindus celebrate it. His chief disciple, Gautama, is said to have attained omniscience the night that Mahavira achieved nirvana from Pawapuri. Accounts of Mahavira's nirvana vary among Jain texts, with some describing a simple nirvana and others recounting grandiose celebrations attended by gods and kings. According to the Jinasena 's Mahapurana , heavenly beings arrived to perform his funeral rites. The Pravachanasara of Digambara tradition says that only

8686-501: The situation in Tharparkar. According to the Chief Minister of Sindh Rs 70 billion has been spent on the development of infrastructure. The government's Benazir Income Support Programme has transferred Rs 387 billion since 2008. Despite these efforts, the living standard index of Tharparkar has fallen by 50% between 2005 and 2015. Although Tharparkar has been affected by drought for at least 17 years, and has been

8787-473: The soul (jiva) and the non-soul (ajiva). Central to his teachings, bhedvijnān is the practice of realizing the distinction between the pure soul, which is eternal, formless, and independent, and the temporary, external aspects of existence such as body, thoughts, emotions, and karmic influences. According to Mahavira, this understanding is crucial for attainment of nischay Samyak darshan (experiential self realization). He emphasized that human suffering arises from

8888-566: The soul's true nature; and to remain grounded and steadfast in soul's unchanging essence during varying auspicious or inauspicious external circumstances. He also preached that the observance of the vows of ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity), and aparigraha (non-attachment) are necessary for spiritual liberation. He taught the principles of Anekantavada (many-sided reality): syadvada and nayavada . Mahavira's teachings were compiled by Indrabhuti Gautama (his chief disciple) as

8989-451: The southeast, and to Mithi and Wajatto in the west. Tharparkar has been designated a major sanctuary for endangered species of vulture , while Gorano has been declared a habitat for several migratory birds. Peafowl conservation efforts in the district focus on preventing the further endangerment and death of animals that are significant as symbols of Tharparkar. In addition, illegal exploitation of scorpions and snakes has been reported in

9090-418: The wet season while desert shrubs and drought resistant trees grow year-round. Wealth of fauna is considered as a salient feature of this region.The fauna of Tharparkar is a major part of its culture, folk music, art etc. The Chinkara Wildlife Sanctuary covers 940 km in Tharparkar where the hunting of wildlife and poaching is prohibited. The prohibition extends from Chelhar in the north, to Bhorelo in

9191-484: Was "highly critical of the knowledge systems and ideologies of their rivals". A historically contentious view in Jainism is partially attributed to Mahavira and his ascetic life; he did not wear clothing, as a sign of renunciation (the fifth vow, aparigraha ). It was disputed whether a female mendicant ( sadhvi ) could achieve the spiritual liberation like a male mendicant ( sadhu ) through asceticism. The digambar sect (the sky-clad, naked mendicant order) believed that

9292-444: Was 1306 mm in 2011. Tharparkar has been suffering a drought for several decades and the provincial government has declared Tharparkar as a drought-affected area. Tharparkar was officially declared as in a drought in 1968, 1978, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018. There are at least 89 plant species of 26 plant families native to Tharparkar. Many species of herbs grow during

9393-539: Was a "qualified yes" ( syāt ). A version of this doctrine is also found in the Ajivika school of ancient Indian philosophy. According to Dundas, the anekantavada doctrine has been interpreted by many Jains as "promot[ing] a universal religious tolerance ... plurality ... [and a] ... benign attitude to other [ethical, religious] positions"; however, this misreads Jain historical texts and Mahavira's teachings. Mahavira's "many pointedness, multiple perspective" teachings are

9494-420: Was also constructed on the small hill where Ratnaprabhasuri had performed penance. Later, the idol of Mahavira was consecrated. The residents of the town insisted upon Ratnaprabhasuri to name their clan different from Śrīmalis and Porvāls. Ratnaprabhasuri named the clan Oswāl . They were strict adherents of the Śvetāmbara sect. A poetic version of the legend was also written by a later monk belonging to

9595-428: Was being taken for cremation, Chamunda took the form of a white-clad Jain monk and told the people that he was still alive and then disappeared. When Uppaldeva heard this, he and the others took his son-in-law to Ratnaprabhasuri. The water collected after washing Ratnaprabhasuri's feet was splashed on the prince's face and he was instantly revived. The king felt indebted to Ratnaprabhasuri and gifted him valuables. However,

9696-648: Was born into a royal Kshatriya family of King Siddhartha of the Ikshvaku Dynasty and Queen Trishala of the Licchavi republic . The Ikshvaku Dynasty was founded by the First tirthankara Rishabhanatha . According to Jains, Mahavira was born in 599   BCE. His birth date falls on the thirteenth day of the rising moon in the month of Chaitra in the Vira Nirvana Samvat calendar era . It falls in March or April of

9797-536: Was inscribed in 443 BCE (year 84 of the Vira Nirvana Samvat ), contains the line Viraya Bhagavate chaturasiti vase , which can be interpreted as "dedicated to Lord Vira in his 84th year", 84 years after the Nirvana of the Mahavira. However, palaeographic analysis dates the inscription to the 2nd-1st century BCE. According to Buddhist and Jain texts, Buddha and Mahavira are believed to have been contemporaries which

9898-655: Was married to Yashoda at a young age and had one daughter, Priyadarshana, also called Anojja. Jain texts portray Mahavira as tall; his height was given as four cubits (6 feet ) in the Aupapatika Sutra . According to Jain texts, he was the shortest of the twenty-four tirthankaras ; earlier arihants were believed to have been taller, with Neminatha or Aristanemi —the 22nd tirthankara , who lived for 1,000 years—said to have been sixty-five cubits (98   feet) in height. At age thirty, Mahavira abandoned royal life and left his home and family to live an ascetic life in

9999-627: Was represented in the National Assembly by constituencies 229 and 230. During the 2008 elections, both were won by candidates of the PMLQ, while in the 2013 elections, they were both won by candidates of the PPP. After a new delimitation of constituencies in 2018, the district is represented in the Provincial Assembly by constituencies 54, 55, 56, and 57, while in the National Assembly, it

10100-560: Was said to flow through the region; it is speculated by some historians that this river could be the ancient Sarasvati River mentioned in the Hindu Rigveda . The Thar region is also mentioned in the Ramayana , where it is called "Lavanasagara" (meaning "salt ocean"). Sindh was ruled by various dynasties after the fall of the Indus Valley civilisation . These dynasties included the Soomras ,

10201-460: Was the greatest authority on ahimsa . Mahavira taught that the soul exists. There is no soul (or self) in Buddhism, and its teachings are based on the concept of anatta (non-self). Mahavira taught that the soul is dravya (substantial), eternal, and yet temporary. To Mahavira, the metaphysical nature of the universe consists of dravya , jiva , and ajiva (inanimate objects). The jiva

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