Jain Festivals

Guru Saptami Mahotsav Acharya Srimad Rajendrasur ji ( 1826–1906 ) was a major reformer of the 18th and 19th century in the Swetambara sector of Jainism. He was born on 3 December 1827, at Bharatpur (Rajasthan), in the family of the businessman named Rishabhadas Parakh. His born name is Ratna Raj. He had a religious bent of mind. He renounced the worldly life and was initiated as Jain yati by Hemavijayaji at Udaipur in 1846 AD. He had studied diligently the Jain scriptures, philosophy, literature, grammar, rhetoric, lexicography, etc. under Acharya Pramodsuri and Jain Monk Sagarchandji, the well-known yatis of the age, and soon he acquired proficiency. He raised his voice against the corrupt and luxurious life of the Jain yatis and condemned their abundance of possession and insisted on a pious ideal life in accordance with the principles laid down by Jain Tirthankaras and Jain holy scriptures. He also took vigorous attempts to reform the institution of Jain yati and place it on sound, ...

 Diksha  Jainism, one of the most ancient religions of this world, comes from the word 'Jinas'. Jinas are individuals who have no enemy, because they have won over themselves. And this pursuit of winning over the self, attaining inner purity is Jain Diksha or Saiyam. From amongst billions of individuals who are running an endless race in the quest of desires, there are few rare souls who question the very purpose of this race. And this question takes them on a journey of discovering the TRUTH, the reality of this universe and the purpose of one's own existence. Jain philosophy explains that there is no special superpower or creator of this Universe. Every soul is the creator of their destiny. And every soul has the potential to attain a perfect state of purity like Parmatma Mahavir. Diksha is a process of coming out of your comfort zone, to perfect yourself. Perfect actions, perfect emotions, perfect intentions, perfect attitude, perfect balance, perfect determination, pe...

 Importance of Diwali in Jainism In Jainism, Diwali is the celebration of Bhagwan Mahavir's contribution to humankind; it commemorates Mahavir's attainment of Moksha or Salvation in Bihar's Pavapuri. Mahavir Swami contributed to the growth of scientific temper and encouraged people to overcome superstition and blind faith. His teachings to advocate gender equity, and also equity in all spheres including economic, political, and social. In Jainism, Diwali was first referred as Dipalika or Splendor of Lamps, in the Harivamsha purana written by Acharya Jinasen. In his words The Tirthankars illuminated Pavanagari by lamps to mark the occasion. Since then, on Diwali, the day when Bhagwan Mahavir attained Niravana, is celebrated with lamps. Mahavira was also known as Jinendra. As tribute to the penance and sacrifice of Mahavir and his valuable contributions to our understanding of life and beyond. The festival usually happens in the month of Kartik, in October or November. Devote...

Fasting in Jainism Fasting in Jainism is usually which is very soulful and scientifically proven good for health.  Majority of Jains observe what is known as the “Ratri Bhojan Tyag,” in which  they do not eat anything after Sunset . Some abstain from water during this time as well. For many working people, it is difficult to have an early evening meal, so the majority follow “Ratri Bhojan Tyag” only during Paryushan. There are various types of fasting in Jainism. Varshitap, Maaskhaman, Ekasna, Biyasna, etc.  Varshitap :  Varshitap is   Upwas, fasting for 36 hours, on alternate days for 13 lunar months and 13 days continuously . In Varshitap a person eats on alternate days between sunrise and sunset only. A person can not eat on any two consecutive days for the period of fast but can fast on two consecutive days. Ekasna :  To eat one meal a day at one sitting and drink boiled water as desired between sunrise and sunset. In this you have to sit on one place t...

 6th Day of Paryushan Parva Michhami Dukkadam  is a word of the Ardhamaagdhi language (language spoken during the time of Lord Mahavir). By  Michhami Dukkadam  one is trying to say, ‘ Mithya  me dushkrutam’ meaning, ‘May my bad deeds (dushkrut) become fruitless ( mithya ).’ From this meaning we can understand that this phrase is not simply something to say on the day of  Samvatsari  (a day of forgiveness in Jainism) to whoever you meet, the way you wish others a happy new year. This phrase is a way for us to express our remorse for the mistakes that we have made. This remorse is the Pratikraman  (to confess, apologize and resolve not to repeat a mistake) that is done on the  Samvatsari  day. Pratikraman is a 2 and Half hour long meditation which is done to seek forgiveness to every mistake done by you knowingly or unknowlingly. Pratikraman  means to ask for forgiveness for a mistake; to wash it off. If there is a stain on your ...

5th Day Of Paryushan Parva Mahavir Janma Vanchan Mahotsav is the 5th day of Paryushan when all the Jains celebrate the 14 dreams that Trishala Mata (Mahavir Bhagwan’s mother) has when Lord Mahavir was to be born.  The 14 dreams, being the Elephant, Bullock, Lion, Goddess Lakshmi, Flower garland, Bright full Moon, Sun, Flag, Kalash/Pitcher, Lotus Lake, Milky white sea, Celestial Plane, Pile of gems and Smokeless fire – each symbolising the quality that the child would be possess. Jain devotees get together and read Kalpa Sutra which is about Lord Mahavir's life. The word “Kalpa” has got several meanings. One of the meanings is this: – “An item which fulfils all wishes”. Kalpa-Sootra is read by Jain monks during the holy festival of Paryushan.This tradition started in Gujarat after a son of the king of Vadanagar died at an early age. The then Acharya Dhaneshvar Soori read Kalpa Sootra to the king. This tradition has continued ever since. However, it is the life of Lord Mahavira, whic...

  4th Day of Paryushan Parva The Jain cuisine is completely lacto - vegeterian  and also excludes root and underground vegetables such as potato, garlic, onion etc., to prevent injuring small insects and microorganisms; and also to prevent the entire plant getting uprooted and killed. It is practised by Jain ascetics and lay Jains. During the Jain festival of Paryushan Mahaparva, it is the duty of a shravak to abstain from eating green vegetables. Bhagwan Mahavir said that we generally relish green vegetables more than pulses. Because of this intense likeability, we have too much attachment towards these kinds of foods as compared to beans, pulses, dals (lentils) etc. Along with that, the level of violence involved while eating green vegetables is also more. That is the reason we should eat pulses and grains during Paryushan instead, which involves lesser attachment and lesser violence. We must also refrain from using coriander for garnishing and green chili to enhance the fla...

  3rd Day of Paryushan Parva Jainism believes that every living form in this world should not be killed directly or indirectly. They believe that in water also there are various living forms which goes inside our body while drinking.  Jains, while performing Biyasan and any higher austerity have to drink only boiled water. First, water should be filtered and boiled and then cooled, Then they can drink it; that too, only before the sunset; not after that. They should not drink water in the nights. Of course, when water is heated once, all the countless beings in it, die. But according to the Jain doctrines, in boiled water beings will not be born and so will not die for a certain period according to the season. In unboiled water every moment countless creatures are born and they die. So if once the water is boiled further violence is avoided. The sin of killing creatures is committed only once if the water is heated; and this avoids the committing of that sin again and again. T...

  2nd Day of Paryushan Parva Paryushan Parva is the festivals where many people spend there whole day in the Temples performing Pooja and many other rituals. One of the ritual is called Vyakhyan which includes the speeches and stories said by Jain Monks and Jain Nuns. In this Vyakhyan or Pravachan Jain Monks recites the Jain Mantra and Jain Sootra in public. Also, Jain teachings are explained in this Vyakhyan.   Paryushan is the festival in which people worship Bhagawan Mahavira, they celebrates and remembers the teachings of Mahavira in such Pravachan.  Vyakhyan is a part of people's routine during this Paryushan parva in which they keep back all the problems of life and come here to seek knowledge, seek peace from Jain Monks which helps them to fight from day to day problems in family, friends and society.

 1st Day Of Paryushan Parva Paryushan Parva is all about self peace and purifying your soul. People in these days involve themselves in daily meditations and prayers. A ritual called Samayik is being perfomed everyday in the morning around 4 am. It is a type of meditation in which we recite the sootra. Paryushan is one of the most happening and joyful festivals in Jainism in which all people come to Temple in the morning and they do Pooja of God. This Pooja is perfomed by mixture of Sandal and water and is done by worshiping Nine body parts of God Idol. In the evenings before the Aarti of God, many people gather in the Temple and sing Bhajan of God. Jainism believes that doing Bhakti of God will make them happy and they will pour happiness and peace in their life. These all routine is done in Paryushan Parva. This Bhajan are so joyful and happening that many people start dancing in front of God. They also performs various types of Dance before God.

 PARYUSHAN PARVA Paryushan is an eternal festival relating neither to people nor to any historical event. It is a time to celebrate the natural qualities of the Soul. Just as the Soul does not have a beginning or an end, Paryushan does not have a beginning or an end. It falls three times a year but is only celebrated once, around August/September because at this time, business is slow (in India), businessmen can take time off for spiritual pursuit. Also, it is the time of the monsoon retreat for monks and nuns in India.  During this time when insects flourish, the monks and nuns reside in one city or community to avoid long distance travel so as to minimize trampling or harming living beings.  Eating, drinking and being merry are normally associated with festivals, but Paryushan is the festival for spiritual upliftment. During Paryushan, Jains practice penances, vows, fasts, scriptural studies, and Pratikraman. If not fasting, they refrain from eating green vegetables. Th...