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JULY, 1979
or fair. The Nayadhammakahão,2 one of the Jaina Angas refers to the following Mahas or fairs :
1. Indamaha (Festival of Indra)
2. Khandamaha (Festival of Skanda)
3. Ruddajatta (Festival of Rudra)
4. Sivajatta (Festival of Siva)
5. Vessamanajatta (Festival of Vaisravana)
6. Nagajatta (Festival of Naga)
7. Jakkhajatta (Festival of Yaksa)
8. Bhuyajatta (Festival of Bhuta) 9. Naijatta (Festival of Nadi) 10. Talayajatta (Festival of Tadaga) 11. Rukkhajatta (Festival of Tree) 12. Ceiyajatta (Festival of Caitya) 13. Pavvayajatta (Festival of Mountain) 14. Ujjanajatta (Festival of Garden deity)
15. Girijatta (Festival of Mountain deity)
In addition to these Mahas the Rayapaseniya Sutta adds some more Mahas to this list :
1. Maundamaha (Festival of Mukunda)
2. Thubhamaha (Festival of Stupa)
3. Darimaha (Festival of Cave)
4. Agadamaha (Festival of Water Well) 5. Sagaramaha (Festival of Ocean)
Jain literature refers to other religious sects which are related with one or other folk elmements. For instance, Gotama, Govratika, Kukkaiya, Mohariya, Giyaraipiya, Naccanasila, Bhuyakammiya, Koiyakaraka, etc.
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The Buddhist literature also gives some more information about the folk cults. The Niddesa3 mentions the worshippers of deities as follows:
1. Hatthivatika (worshippers of the Elephant deity)
2. Assavatika (worshippers of the Horse deity)
3. Govatika (worshippers of the Bull deity)
2 Nayadhammakahao, 1.25; Vyakhya Prajnapti, 3.1; Nisithasutra, 8.14. * Mahaniddesa, 1.89 and 310; Ancient Indian Folk Cults by V.S. Agrawal, p. 11.
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