Jain festivals
Jain festivals occur on designated days of the year. Jain festivals are
either related to life events of Tirthankara or they are performed with
intention of purification of soul.
There are many religious festivals in Jainism. Some of them are associated
with five auspicious life events of Tirthankara known as Panch Kalyanaka.
Paryushana
Paryushana Parva is one of the most important festival for Jains. Paryusana
is formed by two words meaning ‘a year’ and ‘a coming back’. This festival
comes in the months of Shravana and Bhadra (August or September). Svetambara
Jains celebrate it for eight-days while Digambara Jains celebrate it for ten
days. It is also known as Das Lakshana Parva. It is a festival of repentance
and forgiveness. Many Jains fast and carry out different religious activities.
Jain monks stop walking during chaturmas and reside at one place where they
lecture on various religious subjects during paryushana. This festival is
believed to remove accumulated karma of the previous year and develop control
over new accumulating new karma, by following Jain austerities and other
rituals. There are regular rituals at the Jain temples. Discourses of Kalpa
Sutra are given by monks. Kalpa Sutra describes life of Mahavira and other
Tirthankaras. On the third day, procession of Kalpa Sutra is carried out. On
the fifth day, auspicious dreams of Trishala, mother of Mahavira are
demonstrated and after that birth of Mahavira is celebrated. The tenth day of
festival is called Anant Chaurdsashi. Anant Chaturdashi is the day when Lord
Vasupujya attained moksha(nirvan). Usually, a procession is taken out by Jains
on this day. Kshamavani is generally observed a day after Anant Chaturdashi. On
Kshamavani, Jains ask for forgiveness from everybody for any acts during the
previous year which may had hurt them.
Mahavir Jayanti
Mahavira was born on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the Jain
calendar month of Chaitra, probably 599 BCE. It falls in March or April. This
festival marks birth of Mahavira. Procession is carried out and lectures on
message of Mahavira is presented. The idols of Mahavira is ceremonially bathed and
rocked in a cradle. Events related to birth are also recited from sacred texts
by monks.
Diwali
Diwali is one of the most important festival in India. Mahavir attained
nirvana followed by moksha on this day in 527 BCE. It falls on the last day of
Ashvina month of Jain calendar. It is also the last day of Indian calendar. It
comes during October or November. It is believed that the eighteen kings of
northern India, followers of Mahavira, decided to light lamps (known as dipa)
symbolizing knowledge of Mahavira. So it is known as Deepavali or Diwali. Jains
are forbidden to burst crackers.On Diwali morning, Nirvan Ladoo is offered
after praying to Lord Mahavira in all Jain temples all across the world. Gautam
Gandhar Swami, the chief disciple of Lord Mahavira achieved omniscience (Kevala
Gyan) later the same day.
New Year
After celebrating Divali at the end of Ashwina, Jains celebrate new year on
the first day of the following month of Kartika. Ritual of Snatra Puja is
performed at the temple. Mahavira's chief disciple Gautama Swami attained keval
gyan on this day.
Gyana Panchami
The fifth day of Kartika is known as Gyana Panchami. It is considered
knowledge day. On this day holy scriptures are displayed and worshipped.
Pausha Dashmi
It is celebrated on 10th day of dark half of Pausha (Pushya) month of Hindu
calendar(December/January). It marks Janma Kalyanaka (Birth) of 23rd
Tirthankara, Parshvanath. Three days fast known as Attham is observed by many
Jains.
Varshi Tapa or Akshay Tritiya Tapa
It is believed that the first Jain Tirthankara Rishabhdev completed of an
austerity on 3rd day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakh month of Jain calendar
after fasting for 13 months and 13 days continuously. People who performed
austerity known as Varshi tapa regarding these event complete the austerity on
this day by taking sugar-cane juice.
Maun-agiyara
Maun Agiyaras or Ekadashi marks Kalyanaka of many Tirthankaras. It is
celebrated on 11th day of Magshar month of Jain calendar(October/November). On
this day, complete silence is observed and fasting is kept. Meditation is also
performed.
Navapad Oli
The nine-day Oli is a period of semi-fasting. During these period Jains take
only one meal a day of very plain food. It comes twice a year during March/April
and September/October.
Mahamastakabhisheka
Mahamastakabhisheka is a festival held once every twelve years in the town
of Shravanabelagola, Karnataka. It is held in veneration of an immense 18 meter
high statue of Bahubali. The last anointing took place in February 2006, and
the next ceremony will occur in 2018.
Roth Teej
Roth Teej is celebrated on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya. On Roth Teej, the
Jains are supposed to eat only one type of grain food, roth, once during the
day. The festival is a reminder that material wealth is not important, only
relinquishment leads to true happiness.
Shrut Panchami
Shrut Panchami is celebrated by Jains every year in the month of May
commemorating Acharya Pushpadanta and Bhutabali.
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