The 24 Tirthankaras
The 24 Tirthankaras of the present age are Rishabhdev (Adinath), the first, to Mahavir Swami, the 24th. A Tirthankara is one who has crossed the ocean of rebirth and shows others the way (tirtha). Each is recognised in images by a symbol (lanchhan) on the pedestal.
Names, symbols and places
| # | Tirthankara | Symbol | Birthplace | Nirvana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rishabhdev (Adinath)Ayodhya · Ashtapad | Bull | Ayodhya | Ashtapad |
| 2 | AjitnathAyodhya · Sammed Shikharji | Elephant | Ayodhya | Sammed Shikharji |
| 3 | SambhavnathShravasti · Sammed Shikharji | Horse | Shravasti | Sammed Shikharji |
| 4 | Abhinandan SwamiAyodhya · Sammed Shikharji | Monkey | Ayodhya | Sammed Shikharji |
| 5 | SumatinathAyodhya · Sammed Shikharji | Curlew (Red goose) | Ayodhya | Sammed Shikharji |
| 6 | PadmaprabhuKaushambi · Sammed Shikharji | Red lotus | Kaushambi | Sammed Shikharji |
| 7 | SuparshvanathVaranasi · Sammed Shikharji | Swastika | Varanasi | Sammed Shikharji |
| 8 | ChandraprabhuChandrapuri · Sammed Shikharji | Crescent moon | Chandrapuri | Sammed Shikharji |
| 9 | Suvidhinath (Pushpadant)Kakandi · Sammed Shikharji | Crocodile | Kakandi | Sammed Shikharji |
| 10 | ShitalnathBhaddilpur · Sammed Shikharji | Shrivatsa (Kalpavriksha) | Bhaddilpur | Sammed Shikharji |
| 11 | ShreyansnathSimhapuri (Sarnath) · Sammed Shikharji | Rhinoceros | Simhapuri (Sarnath) | Sammed Shikharji |
| 12 | Vasupujya SwamiChampapuri · Champapuri | Buffalo | Champapuri | Champapuri |
| 13 | VimalnathKampilya · Sammed Shikharji | Boar | Kampilya | Sammed Shikharji |
| 14 | AnantnathAyodhya · Sammed Shikharji | Falcon (Porcupine) | Ayodhya | Sammed Shikharji |
| 15 | DharmanathRatnapuri · Sammed Shikharji | Vajra (thunderbolt) | Ratnapuri | Sammed Shikharji |
| 16 | ShantinathHastinapur · Sammed Shikharji | Deer | Hastinapur | Sammed Shikharji |
| 17 | KunthunathHastinapur · Sammed Shikharji | Goat | Hastinapur | Sammed Shikharji |
| 18 | AranathHastinapur · Sammed Shikharji | Nandyavarta (Fish) | Hastinapur | Sammed Shikharji |
| 19 | MallinathMithila · Sammed Shikharji | Water pot (kalash) | Mithila | Sammed Shikharji |
| 20 | Munisuvrat SwamiRajgir · Sammed Shikharji | Tortoise | Rajgir | Sammed Shikharji |
| 21 | NaminathMithila · Sammed Shikharji | Blue lotus | Mithila | Sammed Shikharji |
| 22 | Neminath (Arishtanemi)Shauripur · Girnar | Conch | Shauripur | Girnar |
| 23 | ParshvanathVaranasi · Sammed Shikharji | Serpent | Varanasi | Sammed Shikharji |
| 24 | Mahavir Swami (Vardhaman)Kshatriyakund · Pavapuri | Lion | Kshatriyakund | Pavapuri |
Where Shwetambar and Digambar symbols differ, the Digambar symbol is in brackets.
The five kalyanaks
Five events in a Tirthankara's life are kalyanaks, auspicious days for the world: Chyavan (conception), Janma (birth), Diksha (renunciation), Kevalgyan (omniscience) and Nirvan (liberation). Jain panchangs mark the kalyanak tithis of all 24, and the major ones, such as Mahavir Jayanti and Paush Dashami, are festivals.
Sammed Shikharji
Twenty of the 24 Tirthankaras attained Nirvana on Sammed Shikharji (Parasnath hill) in Jharkhand, which makes it the holiest Jain pilgrimage. The other four attained Nirvana at Ashtapad (Rishabhdev), Champapuri (Vasupujya), Girnar (Neminath) and Pavapuri (Mahavir).
Shwetambar and Digambar differences
The two traditions agree on the names and order of the 24 Tirthankaras. They differ on a few symbols, on some kalyanak dates, and on Mallinath, whom Shwetambar Jains revere as a woman, Malli Kumari.
Sources
- Kalpa Sutra (Bhadrabahu): The lives of the Tirthankaras, read aloud during Paryushan: the Shwetambar account.
- Tiloyapannatti (Yativrishabha): The Digambar account of the 24 Tirthankaras, their birthplaces and their symbols.
Frequently asked questions
Who was the first Tirthankara?
Rishabhdev, also called Adinath, the first Tirthankara of the present half-cycle. His symbol is the bull.
Who was the last Tirthankara?
Mahavir Swami, the 24th Tirthankara, who attained Nirvana at Pavapuri in 527 BCE. His symbol is the lion.
About This Content
Written and edited by the Vedic Tithi team from the Jain scriptures listed under Sources. Shwetambar and Digambar practice differs in places, and so do sanghs, so follow your guru or sangh where it differs from ours. If you spot an error, tell us and we will correct it.
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Last updated: అక్టోబర్ 2026