The Jain religion is contemporaneous with Buddhism and bears many similarities to it. It was founded around 500 BC by Mahavira, the 24th and last of the Jain prophets, known as tirthankars or Finders of the Path. The Jains now number only about 3.2 million and are found all over India, but predominantly in the west and south-west. They believe that the west and south –west. They believe that the universe is infinite and was not created by a deity. They also believe in reincarnation and eventual spiritual salvation, or moksha, through following the path of the tirthankars. One factor in the search for salvation is ahimsa, or reverence for all life and the avoidance of injury to all living things. Due to this belief Jains are strict vegetarians and some monks actually cover their mouths with a piece of cloth in order to avoid the risk of accidentally swallowing an insect.


The Jains are divided into two sects, the Shvetambara and the Digambara. The Digambaras are the more austere sect and their name literally means Sky Clad since, as a sign of their contempt for material possessions, they do not even wear clothes. Not surprisingly Digambaras are generally monks who confine their nudity to the monasteries. The famous Sravanabelagola shrine in Karnataka state, south India, is a Digambara temple.
Jain temples are noted for the large number of similar buildings which are often erected at one place- such as the Palitana group in Gujarat. Their temples also have many columns, no two of which are ever identical. The Jains tend to be commercially successful and have an influence disproportionate to their actual numbers. Their temples are often extremely well kept. There are many Jains in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Bombay.