Sthanakvasis

Sthanakvasi is a sub-sect of Shwetambar sect in Jainism. It is said to have emerged from an older Jain sect called Lonka. But owing to some indifference between the members of this sect and the monks, the people themselves formed another sect, called Sthanakvasi, under the leadership of Viraji. The name ‘sthanakvasi’ is derived from the prayer halls called ‘Sthanakas,’ where the members of this sect worship. The many similarities that the original Sthanakvasis have with the shwetambaras, was the main reason this sect came under the shwetambar sect.

Sthanakvasis do believe in idol worship. They congregate in special halls called Sthanakas for their rituals, religious ceremonies and discourses. They only wear clothes of white color. They believe in only 31 of the total 45 scriptures of the shwetambar sect. Furthermore, they do not believe in pilgrimage. Also, they do not participate in the religious festivals of the other shwetambar sects.

The Sthanakvasis, like other shwetambar sects, engage in business as their major occupation. This sect mainly resides in Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.