Thursday, October 18, 2012

Last Days of Chandragupta Maurya

                                        Chandragiri Hills, Karnataka


If Jaina tradition is to believed, Chandragupta Maurya, founder of the large Mauryan empire, in his old age, abdicated the throne and became a Jaina monk. 

He retired to Shravanabelagola (presently in the Hasan district of Karnataka), with his teacher the Jaina Saint, Bhadrabahu. In accordance with the beliefs of Jainism, he fasted to death there and today the place is a famous religious destination for the Jain pilgrims. 

The hill where Chandragupta spent his last days is still known as Chandragiri.

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