Khukhundoo

Kalyanak Kshetra - Kakandi (present name village - Khukhundoo) here became the austerity and knowledge of Tirthankara Pushpadant . Khukhundoo also well known as Tirthankara Pushpadanta birthplace as a son of King Sugriva and Queen Rama at Kakandi (Khukhundoo) situated on the Jain Circuit. There was a group of temples here. All turned into ruins with only one temple left.

A Jain Temple was built here by Rai Bahadur Mulchand in 1874. The main vedi housed idols of Neminath, Pushpadanta and Parshvanath.

In 5th century an 8 metres (26 ft) pillar known as Kahaum pillar was erected during the reign of Skandagupta. This pillar has carvings of Parshvanatha and other tirthankars with Jain Brahmi script.[1]

Skandagupta inscription on the Kahaum pillar

Perfection has been attained! In the tranquil reign of Skandagupta, whose hall of audience is shaken by the wind caused by the falling down (in the act of performing obeisance) of the heads of a hundred kings; who is bom in the lineage of the Gupta; whose fame is spread far and wide; who excels all others in prosperity; who resembles (the god) Sakra : (and) who is the lord of a hundred kings - in the one hundredth year, increased by thirty and ten and one; the month Jyeshtha having arrived.

In this jewel of a village, which is known by people under the name of Kakubha (and) which is pure from association with holy men, (there was) the high-minded Bhattisoma, who (was) the son of Sdmila, that receptacle of many good qualities. His son (was) Rudrasoma, of great intellect and fame, who had the other appellation of Vyaghra. His son was Madra, who (was) especially full of affection for Brahmans and religious preceptors and ascetics.

He, being alarmed when he observed the whole of this world (to be ever) passing through a succession of changes, acquired for himself a large mass of religious merit. (And by him ), — having set up, for the sake of final beatitude (and) for the welfare of (all) existing beings five excellent (images), made of stone, (of) those who led the way in the path of the Arhats who practise religious observances, there was then planted in the ground this most beautiful pillar of stone, which resembles the tip of the summit of the best of mountains, (and) which confers fame (upon him).

— Skandagupta inscription on the Kahaum pillar.[2]

The Kahaum pillar (19th century photograph)

There is ancient temple of god Shiva at Khukhundoo. Khukhundoo is a Block (sub-division) in Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh.

There are two intermediate schools, one post graduate college and one primary health center in the town. Railway broad gauge trains of Indian Railways are running between Deoria and Bhatni passes through Nunkhar is 6 kilometer far from Khukhundoo.Former Union Cabinet Minister of India Sri Vishwanath Rai started his political career from Khukhundoo. From ancient time Khukhundoo is a center of study.

Other, nearest market place to this town is Deoria, Bhatni, Salempur, Nunkhar and Barhaj, in range of 20 km (12 mi).