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JAIN FESTIVALS Celebrations are held all over the world by people of the Jain faith. Among its notable followers in India are the traders and merchants of Gujarat and Maharashtra states. Jainism is based on the teaching of 24 tirthankaras or jinas which are self-conquerors—the last, Vardhamana Mahavira (599-527 BC), being the religion's founder. His birth date is celebrated in the festival known as Mahavira Jayanti and his Nirvana is commemorated, with the lighting of lamps, on the same day as the Hindu Diwali. Five days later, Jains celebrate Jnana-Pancami with worship in the temple and reading of the sacred books. One of the most popular Jain festivals is Paryusana in August-September. During this period, Jains strive for peace through forgiveness and on the last day of the festival they distribute alms to the poor and take an image of a Jina through the streets in procession. At this time, too, they also make a yearly confession to remove ill-feeling about all past misdeeds. Twice a year, for nine days, in April-May and September-October, the Jains observe a fasting ceremony called oli. There are also eight-day festivals, known as astahnika, which correspond to celestial feasts of the Jinas. Other Jain festivals are connected with the events in the lives of the Jinas. Source: Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Please view the Jain Patrika (Edition Three) for more articles on Jain Festivals. |
 
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