Local history

There are up to 30,000 Jains in the UK and most of them belong to the shvetambara group. Most live around the Greater London area and in Leicester, with other communities in Coventry, Luton, Manchester, Northampton and Wellingborough.

Most Jains arrived in this country after 1945. They mainly came from India, where they formed their own merchant and financial community. Today, most British-based Jains are in business or the professions. Many are involved in charities and philanthropic work.

There are four Jain places of worship in England – three in London (Croydon, Kenton, Potters Bar) and one in Leicester, the first in the world to bring together all the main Jain sects under one roof.

There are national and local Jain organisations in the UK known as mandal (circle), samaj (society) or sangh (group or gathering). Contact is best made through the local group secretary, chair or president.