Saitwal
Encyclopedia
Saitwal is a Digambara
Jain community of Maharashtra
. Swahitwal means that they work for the benefit of their inner self (Swa+hit+wal).
Saitwal community is largely concentrated in Maharashtra state, though people from Saitwal community can be found in all over India.
The community is majority among Digambar Jains in Maharashtra. They are predominantly in profession of tailoring and have been spread in pockets of Vidarbha, Marathwada, Khandesh and in small proportion in Western Maharashtra as well.
Mostly the financially weaker section among otherwise well to do jains. Over past few decades many of Saitwal jains have achieved socioeconomic development with education and entrepreneurship.
Last year this community was awarded OBC status by government though it was deprived of such previleges for many years even after remaining weaker section of society due to misconception of being an integral part of elite Jain community.
Digambara
Digambara "sky-clad" is one of the two main sects of Jainism. "Sky-clad" has many different meaning and associations throughout Indian religions. Many representations of deities within these traditions are depicted as sky-clad, e.g. Samantabhadra/Samantabhadrī in Yab-Yum...
Jain community of Maharashtra
Jains of Maharashtra
Jainism has been present in Maharashtra since ancient times. The famous Ellora Caves demonstrate that Jainism was part of a thriving religious culture in Maharashtra in premodern times.-History:...
. Swahitwal means that they work for the benefit of their inner self (Swa+hit+wal).
Saitwal community is largely concentrated in Maharashtra state, though people from Saitwal community can be found in all over India.
The community is majority among Digambar Jains in Maharashtra. They are predominantly in profession of tailoring and have been spread in pockets of Vidarbha, Marathwada, Khandesh and in small proportion in Western Maharashtra as well.
Mostly the financially weaker section among otherwise well to do jains. Over past few decades many of Saitwal jains have achieved socioeconomic development with education and entrepreneurship.
Last year this community was awarded OBC status by government though it was deprived of such previleges for many years even after remaining weaker section of society due to misconception of being an integral part of elite Jain community.