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Parshvanatha also known as Parshva and Paras, was the 23rd of 24 tirthankaras of Jainism. He is one of the earliest tirthankaras who are acknowledged as historical figures. He was the earliest exponent of Karma philosophy in the recorded history. Parshvanatha was born 350 years before Mahavira. He was the spiritual successor of 22nd tirthankara Neminath. He is popularly seen as a propagator and reviver of Jainism.
Parshvanatha was born in Varanasi, India. He founded an ascetic community. Texts of the two major Jain sects (Digambaras and Śvētāmbaras) differ on the teachings of Parshvanatha and Mahavira, and this is a foundation of the dispute between the two sects. The Digambaras believe that there was no difference between the teachings of Parshvanatha and Mahavira. According to the Śvētāmbaras, Mahavira expanded Parshvanatha's first four restraints with his ideas on ahimsa (non-violence) and added the fifth monastic vow (celibacy).
Parshvanatha is a popular tirthankara who is worshiped (bhakti) with Rishabhanatha, Shantinatha, Neminatha and Mahavira.[86][87] He is believed to have the power to remove obstacles and save devotees.
Parshvanatha is usually depicted in a lotus or kayotsarga posture. Statues and paintings show his head shielded by a multi-headed serpent, fanned out like an umbrella. Parshvanatha iconography is identified by a sesha hood above his head and a cobra stamped (or carved) beneath his feet. At the center of his chest is a shrivatsa, which identifies Jain statues.
Temples : Shikharji (Sammet Sikhar) in Jharkhand , Mirpur Jain Temple ,Shri Shankeshwar Tirth, Andeshwar Parshwanath in Rajasthan, Bada Gaon, Kallil Temple, Kerala, Navagraha Jain Temple in Hubli, Karnataka, Ahi Kshetra, Gajpanth, Mel Sithamur Jain Math, Pateriaji, Nainagiri, Kundadri, Gori Temple in Tharparkar, Sindh
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