________________
110
MODERN JAINISM.
Oli. In the month of March or April, eight days before Cuitri Punena, Oli Sicun) or A'mibela (ay 1 024) is observed. At this time men and women take special vows with regard to the food they will cat, as that it shall consist only of one kind of grain for that day and that they will only drink boiled water. Women are specially particular in keeping these vows.
This, too, is the great season for pilgrimages; both S'vetāmbara and Digambara Jaina go on pilgrimage to Pālitāņā, Samedshikhara (near Gāyā), A'bu or Girnār, where large fairs are held and the temples decorated.
Monthly Fasts. S'vetāmbara and Sthānakavāsi observe d'thuma (241871), A'thama and
the eighth, and Pākhi ( 4141 ), the Paʼkhi.
fifteenth day of each (lunar) month.
Devout members of these sects fast, and all are supposed to go to the temples and Upāsarā.
In the same way the Digambara sect observe the eighth day of the month, but instead of the fifteenth they keep the
fourteenth day Cuudas'u (SIERI. Strict A'thama and Digambara Jaina not only fast from all Caudas'a.
food on this day, but also from all water. The Svetāmbara and Digambara observe the anniversary of Mahāvira's birthday and the anniversary of the day on which he became a Kevali, but the Sthanakavāsi do not, neither do they keep two other festivals, Siddha Chakra Puja ( Parte 24 yom) and Jala Jātrā ( on ongli ).