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In Jainism, a Ganadhara "troupe leader" is a primary disciple of a Tirthankara. The monastic sangha of Jainism is divided into a number of orders or troupes called ganas, each headed by a ganadhara.[1][2] In Nepal, Ganadhara is Kuldevata of Karakheti Bandhu. Karakheti live in Gorkha's Deurali, Dhunwakot, Dhading's Gajuri and Chitwan.

All twenty-four Tirthankaras had ganadharas, but the number varied.

List of the Ganadhara of 24 Tirthankara

No. Tirthankara Count Ganadhara
1 Rishabhdev (Adinatha) 1
23 Parasnath (Adinatha) 8 Subhadatta, Aryaghoṣa, Vashishtha, Brahmachari, Soma, Sridhara, Virabhadra and Yasas
24 Mahavira 2 Indrabhuti Gautama, Sudharmaswami


  1. The Early Centuries of Jainism
  2. Jain Agama Literature