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Jainism has had a significant influence in Gujarat. Practitioners of this religion believe that their 22nd tirthankara (propagators of Jain religion) attained salvation here. Many other monks have also got salvation; especially on the holy mountains of Girnar and Satrunjaya. The Vallabhi Council held in c. 5th century CE. Their canonical scriptures were written down during this council. King Vanaraja (c. 720-780 CE) of the Chavda dynasty was brought up by a Jain monk named Silaguna Suri.
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History
Jain temples are found in Gujarat from as early as the 6th and 7th centuries CE. It was patronized by the Chaulukyas and Chavadas. Northern Gujarat became a principle center of Jainism in the 13th century CE.
The earliest known Gujarat text Bharat-bahubali Ras, was written by a Jain monk. Of the most important people in Gujarat's Jain history were the Acharya Hemachandra Suri and his pupil, the Chaulukya ruler Kumarapala.
Major Centers
Major ancient Jain centers include: