Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Jains
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
India has many pilgrimage centres linked with different religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism and others. Prabhasgiri is one such place whose religious association is often asked in competitive exams to check your awareness of important pilgrimage sites and the traditions they belong to. This question is based on factual knowledge about religious geography and heritage, focusing on which community considers Prabhasgiri to be a major holy site.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Prabhasgiri is known in religious literature and among devotees as an important Jain pilgrimage centre. It is connected with events and traditions related to Jain Tirthankaras and has temples and sacred spots visited by Jain pilgrims. To arrive at the answer, you recall which religion places particular importance on Prabhasgiri. Hindu groups like Saivites and Vaishnavites have many shrines, but Prabhasgiri in common exam oriented references is specifically linked with Jainism.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List the religions that have strong pilgrimage networks across India: Hindu sects, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism and others.
Step 2: Recall that major Jain tirthas include places like Shatrunjaya, Girnar, Sammed Shikhar and centres such as Prabhasgiri, which are known among Jain devotees.
Step 3: Consider that Buddhist pilgrimage places typically include sites associated with the life of the Buddha such as Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar, rather than Prabhasgiri.
Step 4: Saivite and Vaishnavite shrines usually involve major temples like Kashi Vishwanath, Rameswaram or Tirupati, again not prominently known as Prabhasgiri in standard lists.
Step 5: Based on this association, identify Jains as the religious community for whom Prabhasgiri is a recognised pilgrim spot.
Verification / Alternative check:
If you look up lists of Jain pilgrimage centres and tirthas, you will find Prabhasgiri mentioned among them. Guidebooks, religious websites and competitive exam reference books typically classify Prabhasgiri under Jain holy places. It is relatively less prominent in literature associated with Buddhism, Sikhism or particular Hindu sects, which confirms that the strongest and most direct link is with Jainism.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Buddhists: Important Buddhist sites are mostly linked with the life events of the Buddha or major stupas and monasteries, not commonly with Prabhasgiri.
Saivites: Although Hindu devotees have many pilgrimage locations, Prabhasgiri is not primarily famous as a Saivite centre in standard exam references.
Vaishnavites: They focus more on temples dedicated to Vishnu and his avatars; Prabhasgiri does not feature as a main Vaishnavite shrine in common lists.
Sikhs: Major Sikh pilgrimage sites include Amritsar and various historical gurdwaras, but Prabhasgiri is not recognised as a key Sikh religious site.
Common Pitfalls:
One common error is to guess Buddhism because many candidates associate the suffix giri with ancient hill sites where monasteries existed. Another pitfall is to assume any sacred sounding place must be Hindu by default. Competitive exams frequently test knowledge of non Hindu religions like Jainism and Buddhism in India, so it is important to give attention to their pilgrimage geography as well. Remembering a few key Jain tirthas and matching them correctly in questions like this can significantly improve your score.
Final Answer:
Prabhasgiri is a well known pilgrimage spot associated mainly with the followers of Jainism.
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