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DIWALI
Dhanteras
house and comforted him. Traditionally on this day, the sister invites the brother to her house to express love and respect.
Dhan means wealth and Teras is the thirteenth day of Ashwin or Äso. The first day of Diwali is Dhanteras. Torans of Aso Pälav, mango leaves and marigolds are hung on doorways. Rangoli are drawn with different colored powders to welcome guests.
Other Holidays
Jnän Panchami
Käli Chaudas
The day after Dhanteras is known as Käli Chaudas. They chant mantras at night to please the demons.
Jnän means Knowledge. On the fifth day after New Year, people perform special Pujäs to worship and read Jain Ägam scriptures and other educational material. With right knowledge one can live a virtuous life. People also seek blessings for the strength to be able to learn continuously.
Diwäli
Diwali is the day when Bhagawan Mahävir, Deva Diwali the twenty-fourth Tirthankar, attained
The full moon day in Kärtik (the first month Nirvana. Diwali is a celebration of lights.
of the Indian calendar), brings in the festival Just as a lamp needs cotton and oil to keep
of Deva Diwäli. Homes and temples are going your internal light needs rational
illuminated. Thousands of Jains from allover intuition, rational knowledge, and rational
the world go for Tirtha-yäträ to Shatrunjay, conduct.
Mount Girnär in Gujarat, and other Tirtha Oil lamps are arranged in and around the places where special celebrations are held. house. Because of these flickering lamps
Lamps are lit under the moonlit sky and the festival acquired the name of Deepävali or Diwali.
families celebrate the end of the Diwali
fortnight. New Year
Gautam-swami was very much attached to Mahävir-swämi. So after Mahävir-swämi's Nirvana on Diwali he became very sad. By thinking deeply about non-attachment, he got over his sadness and attained Keval-jnän on the following day which is New Year.
Bhäi Beej Like Gautam-swämi, Mahävir-swämi's brother, Nandivardhan, was very sad. Sudarshana, their sister, invited him to her
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THE FIRST STEP OF JAINISM
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