Jain festivals are celebrated either to recall the life events of the Tirthankaras or for the purification of the soul. Following is a list of important Jain festivals.
Paryushana
This is a festival of repentance and forgiveness. Jains perform different levels of fasting and many religious activities. This festival is celebrated every year in the Hindu month of Shravan and Bhadra. In the international calendar, this festival falls in the month of August or September.
Mahavir Jayanti
This festival marks the birth of Lord Mahavir. According to the Jain calendar, Lord Mahavir was born on the thirteenth day of Chaitra month (March or April).
Diwali
Rest of India celebrates Diwali as a day when Lord Rama returned home from exile. According to Jainism, on this day, the eighteen kings of North Indian territories, who were also the followers of Mahavira, lighted lamps to symbolize Lord Mahavir’s knowledge. This festival comes during the month of October or November.
Maun Agiyara
In this festival, people observe complete silence. Communicating in gestures is also not allowed. People also do fasting and meditation. This festival falls on the 11th day of Maghshar month of the Jain calendar, usually the month of October or November.
Varshi Tapa
On this day, first Jain Tirthankara Rishabha, completed austerity after fasting continuously for 13 months and 13 days. People who perform Varshi Tapa, complete the fasting by taking sugarcane juice. Some people also offer community lunch to celebrate the completion of Varshi Tapa.
Mahamastakabhisheka
This festival is celebrated once in twelve years in Shravanabelagola, Karnataka. The 18 meters high statue is bathed in milk, honey, saffron, scents, flowers, and many other rich religious ingredients of the world. The next Mahamastakabhisheka will be formed in 2018.
To experience a different valour of these celebrations, please visit the Dilwara temple in Mount Abu, Rajasthan. The grandeur of these special occasions is at its full here.
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