Tirtha (Jainism)

In Jainism, a tīrtha (Sanskrit: तीर्थ "ford, a shallow part of a body of water that may be easily crossed") is used to refer both to pilgrimage sites as well as to the four sections of the sangha.

A tirtha provides the inspiration to enable one to cross over from worldly engagement to the side of moksha.

Often a tirtha has a number of temples as well as residences (dharmashala) for the pilgrims and wandering monks and scholars.

Tirtha sites include:[2] Geographically, the tirthas are divided into six quarters:[3] Pilgrimage sites are owned either by the Digambara sect or the Śvetāmbara sect.

Some of the major Śvetāmbara pilgrimage sites include: -