Bhattaraka
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A Bhattaraka is the head of traditional Jain institution. They are responsible for training of scholars, maintenance of libraries, managing the endowments, presiding over the installation ceremonies and running of Jain institutions.
Once Bhattarakas were common all over India, but at the present time, they have survived on in south India. Famous bhattaraka seats include:
- Humbaj seat of Balatakaragana-sarasvati gachchha. The Bhattaraka is named Devendrakirti. This is the original seat of the order which once had branches all north India from Idar in Gujarat to Sammet Sikhar in Jharkhand.
- Shravanabelagola seat of Desiyagana-Pustaka gachchha. The Bhattaraka is named Charukirti. This is where the siddhanta-granthas were once preserved in the library, before they were moved to Mudabidri
- Mudabidri also seat of Desiyagana-Pustaka gachchha. The Bhattaraka is named Charukirti. The original manuscripts of the siddhanta-granthas like Dhavala are preserved here.
- Nandani also seat of Senagana-Pushakara gachchha. The Bhattaraka is named Jinasena. Acharya Shantisagar belonged to this tradition.
- Jinakanchi bhattaraka is named Lakshmisena who heads the Jains of Tamilnadu.
Bhattaraka seats existed at the following places until recent centuries:
- Delhi: place where the Bhattaraka institutionis said to have originated
- Hissar
- Jaipur
- Nagaur
- Mahavirji
- Gwalior
- Chanderi
- Sonagir
- Idar
- Karanja
- Latur
- Malakheda
and at sevaral other locations.
