Jainism in Nagaland

Nagaland, a state in north eastern India has had a long association with Jainism. Today the state has two Jain temples and has become home to hundreds of Jain families living prosperously and peacefully.

History

The first Jain temple in Nagaland was established in Kohima. The temple was established in 1920 by 8 Sethi families, who were the first non naga settlors in Nagaland, prominent among them being Hardev Sethi, Hiralal Sethi, Phulchand Sethi. These families then moved to Dimapur in 1944 due to Japanese invasion during World War II. These families established the Jain temple in Dimapur in 1947.

Community

Jains constitute only about 0.1% of the total population of Nagaland yet they control a chunk of the businesses in Dimapur. The Dimapur Jain community actively participates in various social causes. They also regularly organize free health camps, relief camps.