jainshadivivah

Shri Khandelwal Digambar Jain Samaj has its origin from Khandela, a historical town in Sikar district of Rajasthan(India). Khandelwal Jains are also known as Sarawagi or saraogi meaning a Jain Shravak (follower). Rajasthan, Western MP , Maharashtra and North East are the main regions where this community is found. The population of the Community is approximately 10-15 lakhs.
The Khandelwal Community has 84 gotras. The legendary origin of these gotras is given in a 17th century book ‘Shravakotpatti Varnanam’. The story says-Once in Khandela minor Plague broke out. Some mischievous person suggested the king of Khandela Girkhandel that if Jain saints are sacrificed the Plague would stop. Under misguidance the king started Narmedh Yajna. Instead of subsiding, the disease of Plague became a vicious and virulent epidemic. It seamed that soon the entire population of Khandela region would become dead. At that time Acharya Jinsena came there and advised the ruler to stop the violent yajna. He invoked the goddess Chakreshwari (the dedicated attendant deity of Lord Rishabha,the first Tirthankar) and with her assistance stopped the epidemic of Plague. Impressed with the noble feat of the Jain saint, the ruler along with his 83 village chiefs became Jain shravakas giving rise to the 84 gotras.