New Commemorative Coin: Khartargachha Millennium

The Government of India will issue a ₹1000 commemorative coin on the occasion of Khartargachha Millennium, Founder Jaincharya Shri Jineshwar Suri. The Ministry of Finance issued the gazette notification on December 23, 2023, confirming the coin.

Kharatargaccha was established by Vardhamana Sūri, and his pupil, Jineshvara, earned the honorary title 'Kharatara' for defeating Suracharya, the leader of Chaityavasis, in a public debate in 1023 at Anahilvada Patan. This title was also bestowed upon the Gaccha. 'Kharatara' signifies being 'beyond' (tara) 'purity' (khara), signifying a commitment to absolute truth by unwavering adherence to religious scriptures (Jain Agamas).

The metal composition of the ₹1000 coin will consist of Pure Silver (99.9%). The coin will weigh 40 grams and have a diameter of 44 mm, featuring 200 serrations along the edge. The coin's description is as follows.

Obverse:  The face of the coin shall bear the Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar in the center with the legend "सत्यमेव जयते" inscribed  below, flanked  with the  word “भारत” and  "INDIA" at right and left periphery of the coin with Rupee Symbol "₹” and denomination  value of “1000” in International Numerals below the Ashoka Lion Capital.

Reverse: The face of the coin shall bear the image of Jaincharya Shri Jineshwar Suri. At the bottom of the image of Jaincharya Shri Jineshwar Suri, text in Hindi, "खरा सो खरतर", and in English, "Pure Righteousness", shall be inscribed. Below the text, the year "2023" shall be inscribed. The text "खरतरगच्छ सहस्रादिी" and "संस्थापक: जैनाचार्य श्री जिनेश्वरसूरी" shall be inscribed in Devanagari script on the upper periphery and the text "Khartargachha Millennium" and "Founder: Jaincharya Shri Jineshwar Suri" in English shall be inscribed on the lower periphery of the coin.

Earlier, Shri Om Prakash Sakhlecha, Cabinet Minister for MSME, Science & Technology Department in the Government of Madhya Pradesh, publicly shared a letter expressing gratitude to Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State for Finance of India, on behalf of the Jain community. This letter was also posted on this blog on August 17, 2023.

This will mark the third commemorative coin with a ₹1000 denomination, following the 1000 Years of Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur in 2010 and Shri Jagannath Nabakalebara in 2018. The possibility and upcoming commemorative coins have been updated for your reference.