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Lord Mahaveer and 23 Tirthankaras

Housed in Vedic Temple

Jainism, traditionally known as Jain Dharma (way of life), is one of the oldest religions in the world. It is a religion and philosophy originating in Ancient India. The Jains(followers of Jainism) follow the teachings of the 24 Jinas (conquerors) who are also known as Tirthankaras. The 24th Tirthankara, Lord Mahaveera lived in ca. 6th century BC.
Tirthankara in sanskrit means "Fordmaker". He is a human who achieves enlightenment through asceticism. A Tirthankar is the founder of a "Tirth", a Jain community which acts as a "ford" across the "river of human misery".

After achieving enlightenment, a Tirthankar shows others the path to enlightenment.

Lord Mahaveer and 23 Tirthankaras: Sponsor Deity

	Name of Tirthankaras	Introduction
1.	Lord Rishabhdev Sponsor Deity	Lord Rishabhdev was the first of the 24 Tirthankaras or enlightened Masters. His name means "best, most excellent" besides "bull". He was the first of the 24 Tirthankara. He belonged to the House of Ikshwaku, which was also known as the "House of the Sun".He had a sign of an ox on his thigh.
2.	Lord Ajitnath Sponsor Deity	Ajitnatha in sanskrit means one who is invincible. Ajitnatha was the second of Jain Tirthankaras or enlightened Masters. of the present age (Avasarpini). According to Jain beliefs, he became a liberated soul.
3.	Lord Sambhavnath Sponsor Deity	Sambhavnath in sanskrit means one who accomplishes impossible tasks. Sambhavnatha was the third Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini). On his birth, there was plenty of crops everywhere. There was no famine, or draught. All these characteristics were of a good person. Therefore he was known as Sambhavnath.
4.	Lord Abhinandannatha Sponsor Deity	Abhinandannatha in sanskrit means one who is a auspicious greeting. Abhinandannatha was the fourth Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini).
5.	Lord Sumatinat Sponsor Deity	Sumatinatha was the fifth Jain Tirthankar of the present age (Avasarpini).
6.	Lord Padmaprabh Sponsor Deity	Lord Padmaprabh was the sixth Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini).
7.	Lord Suparshvanath Sponsor Deity	Suparshvanath was the seventh Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini). His mother had a disease, but when the Lord Supashva was conceived , she was totally healed and became glittering like gold.
8.	Lord Chandra Prabha Swami Sponsor Deity	Chandraprabha was the eighth Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini). His name comes after his intense coolness which he radiated like a moon.
9.	Lord Suvidhinath Sponsor Deity	Pushpadanta, also known as Suvidhinath, was the ninth Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini). His name Suvidhinath in sanskrit means the expression of good deeds
10.	Lord Shitalnath Sponsor Deity	Shitalnath was the tenth Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini). His name expresses intense coolness with which he radiated bliss.
11.	Lord Shreyansanath Sponsor Deity	Shreyansanath was the eleventh Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini)
12.	Lord Vasupujya Sponsor Deity	Lord Vasupujya was the twelve Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini).
13.	Lord Vimalnath Sponsor Deity	Lord Vimalnath was the thirteenth Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini).
14.	Lord Anantnath Sponsor Deity	Lord Anantnath was the fourteenth Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini).
15.	Lord Dharmanath Sponsor Deity	Lord Dharmanath was the fifteenth Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present aged(Avasarpini).
16.	Lord Shantinath Sponsor Deity	Lord Shantinath was the sixteenth Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini). His name Shantinath in sanskrit means the one who radiates peace..
17.	Lord Kunthunath Sponsor Deity	Lord Kunthunath was the seventeenth Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini).
18.	Lord Arnath Sponsor Deity	Lord Aranath was the eighteenth Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini).
19.	Lord Mallinath Sponsor Deity	Lord Mallinath was the nineteenth Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini).
20.	Lord Munisuvrat Swami Sponsor Deity	Lord Munisuvrat Swami was the twentieth Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avasarpini).
21.	Lord Naminath Sponsor Deity	Lord Naminatha was the twenty-first Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age.
22.	Lord Neminath (Lord Aristhnemi) Sponsor Deity	Lord Neminatha was twenty-second Jain Tirthankara or enlightened Master of the present age (Avsarpini).
23.	Lord Parshvanath Sponsor Deity	Lord Parshvanatha was the twenty-third Tirthankara or enlightened Master (fordmaker) in Jainism. He probably lived from about 750 BCE to about 650 BCE. He is the earliest Jain leader whom modern scholars consider to be a historical figure
24.	Lord Mahaveer /Lord Vardhman Sponsor Deity (Sponsored by Neel, Sarala and Ashok Desai, Los Angeles)	Mahaveera in sanskrit means Great Hero. Lord Mahaveera was an elightened Master who established what are today considered to be the central tenets of Jainism. According to Jain tradition, he was the 24th and the last Tirthankara.