Quick Facts
Biography
Acharya Aryanandi was a prominent Jain monk of the early 20th century. He is best known for his work in establishing several Jain schools in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Several Jain monks before him have also been named Aryanandi.
Biography
Acharya Aryanandi was born in the village of Dhorkin, Paithan, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, India. He has been the only Jain acharya from the Saitwal community in recent times.
Contributions
He was held in high esteem and is best remembered for the setting up of several Jain schools in Maharashtra, including the Acharya Arya Nandi Lecture Hall in Ellora, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra. The Jain Gurukul at Ellora was also established by him. The noted German Jainologist, Hermann Kuhn, studied Jain scriptures extensively under the tutelage of Acharya Aryanandi. Acharya Aryanandi is also known as Tirthrakha Shiromani for his inspiration to make one crore rupees fund in preservation of Jain tirthas.