Kampil

Ancient

In ancient times this town reached its highest glory as the capital of the Panchala Kingdom, extended from Himalayas in the north to the river Charmanwati in the south during the period of the Mahabharata. It had Kuru, Surasena and Matsya kingdoms to the west and the forest Naimisha to the east. Later, Panchala was divided into Southern Panchala (Panchala proper ruled by King Drupada, the father in law of the Pandavas) and Northern Panchala (ruled by Ashwathama, the son of Drona. Drona was Drupada's former friend who became his enemy later). The Ganges River separated the two Panchalas.

Southern Panchala

Capital: Kampilya :- Kampil, Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh

Southern Panchala or Panchala-proper had Kampilya city as its capital, now a small town named Kampil near Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh. This kingdom extended from the Ganges River to river Charmanwati.

It is believed to be the birthplace of the 13th tirthankar Brahlan Vimal Nath. This is a Holy Land where the four Kalyanakas—chayavan, birth, diksa and omniscience—of Tirthankar 1008 Bhagawan Vimalnath ji, the thirteenth Tirthnakara took place. It was also graced by the visit of Lord Mahavir. Apart from these, there are many old temples, which signify the historical and religious importance of Kampil. During the epic period it was the capital of King Drupad, the father of Draupadi. The sacrificial altar (Yajna Kund) from which Draupadi is believed to have been born from the fire of knowledge, is situated in Kampil. Near the sacrificial altar, there’s a structure, which is the hermitage of a sage Kampil, where he used to perform penance.

By tradition the temple of Rameshwarnath Mahadev is attributed to Shatrughana, brother of Rama. It is said that he had brought the idol (Lingam) of Shiva, which was worshiped by Sita, the wife of Rama in Ashok Vatika while she was held in captivity in Lanka and installed it in this temple.

Jain Temple

It is believed to be the birthplace of the 13th tirthankar Brahlan Vimal Nath. This is a Holy Land where the four Kalyanakas—chayavan, birth, diksa and omniscience—of Tirthankar 1008 Bhagawan Vimalnath ji, the thirteenth Tirthnakara took place. It was also graced by the visit of Lord Mahavir. Two temples dedicated to the 13th Teerthankar one belonging to the Shwetambar Jains and other to the Digambar Jains are situated at this place.

1. Shri Vimalnath Digambar Jain Atishay Kshetra : Shri Vimalnath Digambar Jain Atishay Kshetra is around 1800 years old temple dedicated to Bhagwan Vimalnatha, thirteenth Tirthankara of Jainism. Temple has a about 60 cm high black coloured idol of Bhagawan Vimalanatha in the Padmasana Posture.This Idol is around 2600 years old.It is said that the idol was recovered from the river Ganga. There are many other idols worth to be seen. The spire of temple is very high & vast.

2. Shri Vimalnath Swami Jain Shwetambar Mandir & Dharmashala : The idol of Lord Vimalnath stands in the main hall.This idol is nearly 45 cm high, white coloured idol of Bhagawan Vimalanatha in the Padmasana posture.

Geography

Kampil is located at 27.62°N 79.28°E / 27.62; 79.28. It has an average elevation of 145 metres (475 feet).

Rashtrakuta Kings

Kampilya was also ruled by Rashtrakuta kings and supported Kampliya Vihar having more than 500 monks in the Monastery. [Please add more details with references]

Demographics of Present Day Kampil

As of 2001 India census, Kampil had a population of 8475. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Kampil has an average literacy rate of 47%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 55%, and female literacy is 37%. In Kampil, 21% of the population is under 6 years of age.