Other_Festivals

This day is celebrated as the birthday of 23rd Jain Tirthankar lord Parshvanath. On the 10th day of Paush month of Hindu calendar, hundreds and thousands of Jains perform the tapasya of 3 Upavas-attham (continuous fasting for 3 days) and by means of recitation and meditation they try to attain spiritual welfare. A grand fair takes place in Sankheshwar which is a sacred place for Jains. Thousands of people gather here and perform the austerity of 'Attham'.

The New Year begins the next day of Diwali, Gautam Swami attained kewal gyan on this day. It is the occasion for joyful gatherings of Jains, with everybody wishing each other a Happy New Year.

The festival of Gyan Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of Kartik month. On this day, the Jain scriptures are decorated and worshiped. Devotees keep fast on this day. This is the special day to worship knowledge.

Varsha Tapa/Akshay Tritiya Tapa

Those noble people who perform the austerity of Varsha tapa complete the austerity on this day by taking sugar-cane juice in the cool shadow of Shatrunjay. First Jain Tirthankar Rishabhdev performed the Parana (completion of an austerity) on this day after fasting for 13 months and 13 days continuously. This day is considered to be very auspicious for making a pilgrimage to Shatrunjay (Palitana). This falls on the 3rd day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakh month of Hindu calendar.

It is in November/December when a day of complete silence and fasting is kept and meditation is directed towards the five holy beings, monks, teachers, religious leaders, arihantas and siddhas. This day is regarded as the anniversary of the birth of many of the Tiirthankaras.

The serious Jain layman fast, more or less completely, and undertake other religious practices on many auspicious days throughout the year. As many as ten days in a given month are observed for the fasts by the pious Jains (though others may observe a lesser number). The first day of the three seasons in the Indian year is also of special sanctity. Twice a year, falling in March/April and September/October, the nine-day Oli period of semi-fasting is observed when Jains take only one meal a day, of very plain food.