Description:
Jainism is rich in culture with numerous festivals and ceremonies. All the Jains carry out formal or informal celebration of the rituals and festivals throughout the year. Jains perform festivals of devotion to worship and thank the Lord. Some of the popular celebrations of the Jains are discussed further.
Process:
1) Atthai Mahotsav: This festival is performed for eight days and that is why it is named “Atthai Mahotsav.” This festival marks innumerable religious and devotional activities in the Jain temples. In this festival, the temples are washed and embellished and people offer prayers to “Parmatma” along with recitation of hymns of glorification. This festival also involves devotional songs for worship …show more content…
It is performed in order to purify and beatify any new or old idol, any picture, engraved marble. Eighteen offerings are made for the purification including herbs, pure water and some special elements.
4) The Anjan Shalaka: In this festival, the eyes of new images of “Jin” are decorated with collyrium. This festival is considered very auspicious and the festival is recognized by the celebrations of events of Lord such as Chyavan, Janm, Deeksha, Kaivalya gnan (Anjan Shalaka) and Nirvan.
5) Prathistha: This festival symbolizes the installation of Lord’s idol in a renovated Jain temple. A noble householder is supposed to perform this festival at an auspicious day and time. The festival is accompanied by the chanting of prayers and hymns along with the worship offered to the sacred and divine …show more content…
The “Satrah Bhedi” kings of worship are read out. During the execution of the Puja, the flag is hoisted.
7) Rathyatra or Chaityayatra: This festival symbolizes the holy chariot procession taking the image of the Lord. The fourfold society of Jains and thousands of devotees accompany the procession as the procession is of divine luminosity.
8) Sangh yatra or Charipalit Sanah or Padayatra Sangh : The fourfold society of Jain commence a holy travel from place to place on bare foot having darshan of Jain temples and worshipping them, preaching the dharma and helping the people in affliction. Six important rules are to be kept in mind while initiating this yatra- Samyaktva Dharan, Ekashan, Bhumishayan, Brahmacharya, Padyatra, and Sachitt Tyag.
9) Malaropan: The highest devout is offered garland in this ritual. The presentations of garlands are accompanied by chanting of hymns and mantras. The securing of such garland is a sign of being