Jaina Gazette 1928

SR No.: 034890
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ajitprasad, C S Mallinath
Publisher: Jaina Gazettee Office
Publication Year: 1928
Total Pages: 502
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 33 MB

Page 77

168
THE JAINA GAZETTE
illumination on that day for they said, “Since the Light of Intelligence is gone, let us make an illumination of material matter."
The people arranged rows (avali) of lamps (deepa) all round the Hall where our Lord Mahavira was preaching to His Audience ; not only the Hall, the whole of Pavapuri, the sylvan Capital of King Hastipala was also illuminated. Every palace, mansion, house and hut had its own myriads of lights shining bright There was mirth and gaiety in every home. The Nirvana of the Lord was celebrated with brightness ; pleasure, and purity, This sestival of brightness or Illumination, called Deepavali was first instituted in 527 B.C. about 24} centuries, ago on the day when the Thirthankara Mahavira ascended to Heaven.
The Devali which the people in India celebrate every year in the month of Kartika, is only an imitation of the Grand Illumination at Pavapuri. They have forgotten the great event which gave rise to this national festival but they have tenanciously stuck to it through so many centuries.
Deepavali and Pavapuri are two names which are very dear to the heart of every Jaina. The former reminds him of the day when his Lord attained Salvation and the latter tells him of the place where his Lord left His material body.
To those who have not visited Pavapuri the following description of the place by our Bro. the late J. L. Jaini will be interesting:
"A small hamlet of moderate dimensions, and of mud-houses mostly, Pavapuriji is a place lovely in its simple surroundings and lovelier still in its sacred traditions. There are several dhai mashalas (resting places) for Jaina pilgrims. There are about half a dozen temples, erected by the Svetambaras and Digambaras. Many pilgrims of both sexes proceed to the place, chiefly on the Dewali occasion, the day on which Lord Mahavira attained Nirvana and then up to the month of March, when the attendance begins to fall. The main temple, which contains the charanas, sacred-foot-impressions, of Lord Mahavira, stand in the middle of a tank, covered with lotus leaves and other aquatic plants of various kinds. Many fish float in the water and make a very funny sight by their incessant flitting. Sometimes a bigger fish
would attack a shoal of smaller fish and make them dart down Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat