Religious festivals are very important in Jainism. They are the centre of community celebrations and give people a chance to show their devotion and earn merit.
The Jains follow the Vir Nirvan Samvat Calendar.
Jain festivals are either about things that happened in the life of a Tirthankara or are done to clean the soul. They take place on certain days of the year. The most important days in the Jain calendar are called Parvan, and religious events like fasting periods and festivals happen on these days.
It is not mandatory to participate in these festivals; participation is entirely optional.These festivals and celebrations offer Jains a chance to connect with their inner selves and gain the spiritual perfection they think is possible. Jainism has many religious celebrations. The majority of the important Jain holidays occur during or around the Chaumasa (Sanskrit: Chaturmasa) time period. The Comasu Period gives the 4 orders of the Jain community a chance to come together and take part in the celebrations. Most of the time, the main Jain festivals are linked to the 5 most important events in the life of each Tirthankara. These are: Entering The Mother's Womb, Giving Birth, Renunciating, Gaining Enlightenment, & Complete Liberation.
Here are some of the important Festivals of Jain:
Now, we will discuss these all in detail.
The most important Jain holiday each year is Paryushan, which is a celebration of spiritual awareness. Members of the Jain faith celebrate it every year to improve their Self-Purification and Spiritual Development.
"This Festival Is An Opportunity To Ask To Forgive For One's Wrongdoing."The most renowned peace messenger, Acharya Shri Mahashramanji, oversees its spiritual celebrations.
While the Svetambara Jains celebrate it for only eight days, the Digambara Jains observe it for ten days.
In the Svetambara sect, the Kalpa Sutra is chanted during the festival, and on the 5th day, it contains a recital of the part on the birth of Lord Mahavira. The Umaswati Tattvartha Sutra is recited in the Digambara sect.
Paryushan reflects some of the most crucial disciplines, including:
Fasting plays a major role in Paryushan. Jains stick to a severe fasting diet, ditching all food and, in some cases, even water. Some fast on the first and last days of Paryushan, while others fast throughout the entire period. On days when they fast, they only eat before sunset and drink only water that has been boiled or otherwise cleaned. Green leafy vegetables are avoided. Jains enthusiastically visit the mutts and take part in the festivities. They read sacred Jain Literature and Scriptures, meditate, and pray to God. Also, they listen to the Jain monks' sermons and teachings and sing Devotional Songs.
People exchange the greeting "Micchami Dukkadam," which means "May All The Evil That Has Been Done Be Useless," as the festival comes to an end. On the final day, Samvatsari, people use this greeting while addressing loved ones, friends, and strangers. Hence, asking for forgiveness for any type of harm or injury caused, whether on purpose or accidentally. Saying this sentence shows that you are forgiving both those who have wronged you and those who have been mistreated by you.
In the Harivamsa Purana, written by Acharya Jinasena, Diwali was initially referred to as Dipalika, or the Glory of Lamps, in Jainism. For Jains, it symbolizes the End Of the Year and the Liberation of Mahavira's Soul, the 24th and last Jain Tirthankara of the existing cosmic era.
Tiloyapannatti of Yativrsabha confirmed that Mahavira Reached Moksha (Liberation) on Chaturdashi of Kartika, October 15, 527 BCE, at Pawapuri.
Lord Mahavir's Enlightenment was first talked about in Jain Scriptures as Light Leaving The Body. It is said that the Earth & The Heavens Were Lit Up With Lamps To Mark The Ceremony.
For Jains, Diwali is a time to celebrate Lord Mahavir's teachings and all he did for the religion and for people in general.On this day, the Jains light lamps to show that they are keeping the light of Lord Mahavir's knowledge alive, and sweets are given out to honour what he did. Many Jains celebrate Diwali by Fasting, Singing Hymns, and Chanting Mantras In Honour of Lord Mahavir. Others perform acts of charity & kindness.
This festival is held in the spirit of Simplicity, Peace, Fairness, Calmness, Charity, Philanthropy, and Concern for the Environment. There are Lights and Diyas in Jain Temples, Homes, Offices, and Shops. The Lights stand for Knowledge or the End of Being Ignorant.
During this festival, Swetambar Jains fast for 3 days as a way to honour Mahavira's Penance & Sacrifice, as well as his significant values to our Knowledge of Life & Beyond. Digambar Devotees recite Prayers and Mantras. They get together in a big group for Samaik, which means Prayer. They also say verses from the Uttaradhyayan Sutra, which has Mahavira's Last Teachings.
Gyan Panchami is the 5th day after Diwali. It is celebrated on the 5th day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. It is also called "Shrut Panchami," "Saubhagya Panchami," and "Labha Panchami."
This day is very important in Jain culture. Jains think that on this day, Knowledge Grows. They embrace this day with great excitement and joy. Students and scholars celebrate Gyan, which means Divine or Transcendent Knowledge or Wisdom, on this day.
On this day, Jain Scripture was written down for the first time. The knowledge of Lord Mahavira was put into a book by several Acharyas, i.e. Jyeshtha Shukla Panchami. With the help of Pushpadanta and Bhootha Bali, Dharsanacharya wrote the holy book called Shatkhandagam. This book tells you about the Jain religion. From this point on, the Shrut tradition was given in the written form. So, people celebrate this happy day by calling it Shrut Panchami.
Jains show their love and respect for ancient texts on Gyan Panchami. Besides this, there are also processions on this day. Women clean their homes. They then get ready for Special Pooja and Jap Paths. People do pooja on the Scriptures and also on Blank Papers and Pencils that aren't sharpened. The temples are illuminated, and all the holy books and scriptures are placed on the table of the temple. Blank papers and pencils are given out by many temples. In religious libraries, the books are cleaned and prayed over to get the Right Knowledge.
Most Jains fast on this day. They perform Dev Vandan (offering Veneration to the Gods). Pratikraman is done, and holy verses are recited. Many people make a promise on this day to fast every month on the 5th day of the 2nd half of the Waxing Moon for 5 years and 5 months.
On Labha Panchami, Jains do the Kayotsarga of 51 Logassa, 51 Swastika, 51 Khamasana, and the Jap Pad of "Namo Nanassa" – 20 Navakarvali.
The following shloka is also sung on this day.
Samkit Shrddhavantane Upanue Gyan Prakash, Pranamu Pad ha; Tehana, Bhav Dhari Ullas”Jains believe that by celebrating the Saubhagya Panchami, all of the bad things that have happened because of Karmas will be wiped out.
The term "Mauna'' means "Silence." On the 11th day of the month of Magshar (Magshar Sud 11), the Jain community celebrates Maun Agyaras. This special occasion occurs between November and December.
The Jains fast and stay quiet on this day. During this ritual, a Jain person thinks about the 5 most important holy beings in Jainism: Religious Leaders, Monks, Arihants (Enlightened Masters), Teachers, and Siddhas (Liberated Souls). It is a day to meditate.
Jains believe that a person can reach Salvation if they worship on the day of Ekadashi and follow all the Rules for 11 years and 11 months.On this day of Ekadashi -
So, this day marks the 5 Kalyanak of the 3 Tirthankaras. There are also Chauvishis in Bharat Kshetra and Airavat Kshetra, both of which had 5 Kalyanak. Thus, there are 25 Kalyanak in the 5 Airavat Kshetra and 25 Kalyanak in the 5 Bharat Kshetra. Therefore, 50 Kalyanak in each Kshetra for all Chauvishis in the past, present, and future gives us 150 Kalyanak.
In other words, on Maun Agyaras, 150 Kalyanak of Tirthankaras of the Past, Present, and Future all fall, making this day highly fortunate and associated with several religious rituals. On this day, All Thoughts, Words, and Deeds — Good or Bad — are multiplied by 150.
Mahavir Jayanti, also called Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, is the day that Jainism's Founder, Mahavir, was born. It is one of the best festivals for people in the Jain religion.
The Jain community celebrates this day to honor Harmony & Peace and to spread the teachings of Mahavira, Jainism's 24th Tirthankara.What makes this festival special is that it is celebrated in the most humble and simple way. All over the country, Jain communities Praise and Celebrate Saint Mahavir's Birth with a lot of Devotion. A ceremony called "Abhishek" is used to anoint statues of Lord Mahavir. The people wash the statue of Mahavir with scented Oil to show how pure the Lord is. The idol of Mahavir is put on a chariot and pulled through the streets while people sing religious songs.
Flags are used to decorate Jain temples, and the poor and needy are given gifts. Donations are also given to help save animals from being slaughtered. Monks and Nuns recite the Teachings of Mahavira and Jainism.
Jains all over the world celebrate by Giving Charity, Praying, Fasting, Going to Jain Temples, Praying in Large Groups, and Meditating. They try to remember what Lord Mahavir taught and promise not to hurt anyone, either on purpose or by accident, in the future. During the celebrations, people eat Satvik Food, which is Freshly Made Vegetarian Food without Onion or Garlic.
The day is celebrated by Jain people all over the world to Remember their Last Spiritual Leader.One of the most well-known Jain holidays is the Jain New Year. After celebrating Diwali at the end of the month of Ashwina, Jains welcome the New Year on the first day of the next month, Kartik. Gandhar Gautam Swami, who was the 1st person Lord Mahavir taught, reached complete enlightenment early in the morning of the first day of the new year.
Jains follow all the traditions of their Ancestors to Honor and Remember them on this day. It is a time for Jain people to get together with friends, family, and other relatives to celebrate. Snatra Puja is done at the temple.
According to Jain Tradition, various poojas are held to make sure everyone in the family is healthy and happy. Each Ritual and Prayer has its own meaning. The Jains start the new year by praising Lord Gautam Swami. They listen with devotion to the 9 Stotras, which are Holy Hymns, and to their Guru Maharaj read the auspicious Rasa, which is a poem about Gautam Swami. In the temple, they also give Nirvan Ladoo and chant Gautam Ras first thing in the morning.
While some Jain merely worship their Lord and carry out regular Rituals, others worship their Jain statues. Every Jain community home prepares Traditional Delicacies for this day, and everyone dresses in their Traditional, Vibrant Attire. On New Year's, members of the Jain community spread out Grains for the Birds in the Morning or Put a Pot of Water to Boil over the following several hours.
The Abhisheka (Anointing) of Jain Images on a large scale is called the Mahamastakabhisheka, which means "Grand Consecration." It is a big Jain festival that only happens once every 12 years. It is an important part of the old and varied Jain Religion.
The anointing of the 17.4 metre (57 foot) High Monolithic Idol of Bahubali Gommateshwara at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka, India, is the most well-known of these consecrations.
Bahubali Gommateshwara is highly respected by the Jain people since he was the first person to reach salvation.
The preparation for the festival starts 18 days (approx.) in Advance. Early in the morning, the followers start to worship the Lord. The 1008 Jal Kalashas (Pots) which Devotees bring with them from all over the world are kept beneath the Idol. While reciting Divine Hymns, the priests invite the devotees to carry the vessels and ascend some 600 stairs to reach the statue's peak. The followers then shower the idol with water after ascending. The atmosphere is undoubtedly made memorable by the chanting of the Holy Mantras and Trumpets.
The statue is then covered in a mixture of 52 different kinds of Flowers that have been collected from all over the world, together with Coconut Water, Milk, Sugarcane Juice, Turmeric Paste, Sandalwood, and Rice Flour. As a sign of respect, precious Stones, Petals, & Gold and Silver Coins are presented. It takes around 10 hours to finish the event. The devotees descend the stairs filled with the deepest devotion to the Lord after the event is over.
Aside from the Gommateshwara statue, anointing of the Jaina Statues occurs at Jain Temples all over India. These are:
The Paryushan's final day is held on the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi. On this day, the devotees keep a severe fast. Lord Vasupujya, the Jains' 12th Tirthankara, gained Nirvana on this specific day as well.
So, for Jain people, Anant Chaturdashi is a highly significant holiday.
On this day, many Jains take steps to follow all of their Religion's Rules (Fasting, following the 10 Virtues, etc.). They also ask for Forgiveness from their neighbors, family, co-workers, enemies, and friends. And Temples are full of people Praying and Meditating. Some also pray to the Tirthankaras (Spiritual Exemplars).
In Jainism, the first Tirthankara, Lord Rishabhadeva, also called Lord Adinath, got his 1st aahar on Akshay Tritiya. On this day, a Jain follower named Shreyans Kumar gave Ikshu juice (Sugarcane juice) to Lord Adinath and ended his 400-day fast. This made the festival important to Jains forever.
On the 3rd day of the bright half of the month of Vaishakh, Jains began celebrating Akshaya Tritiya in remembrance of this event. Numerous Jains celebrate this day as "Parna Diwas" in Remembrance of Lord Rishabhdev and his hard Penance, which comes after the year-long Varshi Tap alternative fast (one meal & fast on alternate days for over 1 year).
Since that time, the 1st Aahar - charya methodology — a procedure for preparing and serving meals to Jain monks — has been established.
Thus, those who practice the Varshi Tap end it on this day by sipping Sugarcane juice. So, it is also known as Varshi Tapa.
On Akshaya Tritiya, Fasting and Ascetic Austerities are marked by Jains, particularly at pilgrimage sites such as Palitana (Gujarat).
In Jainism, Kartik Purnima is a very sacred day. After being in one location during Chaturmas' (rainy season), Monks and Nuns begin to roam or engage in Vihar by the full moon day of Kartik (about November).
On this occasion, the monks are led out of the town in a procession and some even go with them to the following village or town. Green Veggies started to be consumed by Jains from this day, which is not practiced during the rainy season.
The day also assumes more significance for the walk, as the hills, which are closed to the public during the 4 months of the rainy season (Chaturmas) are thrown open for the devotees on Kartik Purnima.
The Shatrunjaya of Palitana Hills is believed to have been sanctified by Adinath, the 1st Tirthankara, who went there to give his first Sermon. Millions of sadhus and Sadhvis are said to have found Salvation on these hills, according to Jain Literature. The Shatrunjaya Literal Meaning is Conquering One's Enemies.
Therefore, the pilgrimage of Shatrunjaya of Palitana Jain Temples in Gujarat is carried out to defeat the Karma - enemy.
It is said that -
“Every step taken on Shatrunjaya's Sacred Grounds has the ability to Remove or Undo the Karma from Past Lives.”On this day, many Jain devotees travel to the Shatrunjay Hills' foothills to participate in the holy yatra (journey). This walk, also known as the Shri Shantrunjay Teerth Yatra, is a significant religious occasion in a Jain devotee's life. They trek 216 miles across difficult mountain terrain to the Lord Adinath shrine at the summit of the peak for Worship. Those who cannot make the trek to Palitana might go and worship the Stone Panel or Cloth Painting of Palitana that is displayed in Jain Temples.
Kartik Purnima Vidhi (Ritual):
The Kayotsarga of 21 Logassa, 21 Khamasana, 21 Swastika and 20 Navakarvali with the Jap Pad of 'Shri Shatrunjaya Tirtha Dhi Rajaya Namah'.
The most significant Parva, or festival, in Jainism is Navpad Oli. A 9 day celebration of fasting occurs twice a year. In both the Ashwina (October/November) and Chaitra (March/April) months, it falls precisely between Shukla Saptami (7th Lunar Day) and Purnima (Full Moon Day).The first, known as Navpad, occurs in the brilliant fortnight of the Ashwin month (September/October), while the second, known as Navpad Oli, occurs in the bright fortnight of the Chaitra month (March/April).
'Nav' indicates 9 in Sanskrit and 'Pada' signifies Post. So, Navpad means "9 places in the universe." The nine posts are
Since the Navpad is the only Jain festival that occurs in every time cycle, it is also known as the Shashwati Oli. This name refers to the Navpad's Shashwat (eternal) nature. Due to this, Navpad Oli is the most major event in Jainism.
Many Jains perform Ayambil Tap at this occasion in honor of the 9 supreme positions in the cosmos. It also goes by the name Ayambil Oli for this reason. Jains consume only Boiled Grains, and only once a day at that, as part of a special fast known as Ayambil. During the meal, refrain from eating "Tasty" things like Milk, Curd, Ghee, Oil, Sugar, and Fried Items. They must also consume food and drink boiled water before dusk. Nothing, not even salt, sugar, or oil, may be added to the boiled grains.
