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JAIN FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS enlightenment, in the early morning of the first day of the New Year. The Jains begin the New Year with a prayer of Guru Gautam Swämi; and listen with devotion to the nine Stotras (Nav-smaran) and the auspicious Räs (epochal poem) of Gautam Swami. Some people fast for three days including New Year's day. The real wish should be "may the whole year be filled with realistic Dharma, intellectual serenity and equanimity".
Bhai Bija (Festival day for brothers):
King Nandivardhan, the brother of Bhagawan Mahavir was in great sorrow due to the Nirvän of Mahävir. His sister Sudarshanä took him to her house and comforted him. This happened on the day after New Year's day. This day is observed as Bhäi Beej. This festival is like Raksha Bandhan. On the day of Raksha Bandhan, the sister goes to the brother and ties the Raksha; but on this day, the sister invites her brother to her house to show her respect and love for him.
Jnän Panchami (The holy day for worshipping knowledge):
Jnän Panchami is the name given to the celebration that takes place on the 5th day of the first month of the Indian calendar year. This day is designated for the worship of pure knowledge. On this day, the scriptures, which impart knowledge to the people, are worshipped with religious devotion by offering Väskshep (sandalwood powder). Swadhyay, meditation, and Pratikraman are also carried out on this day. Moreover, the books preserved in the religious libraries are cleaned and refurbished as may be necessary. To pay respect to educational material, notebooks, pens, pencils etc. are offered during Pujä.
Oli:
Twice a year, falling in March/April (Chaitra) and September/October (Ashwin), the nine-day Oli period of semi-fasting called Äyambil is observed by taking only one meal a day of very plain food (without any spices, salt, milk, oil, butter, fruits or vegetables). It is observed to meditate upon Pancha Paramesthi, Jnän, Darshan, Chäritra, and Tapa, which are collectively known as Navapad. The importance of Navapad is preached by the sermons given during these days. King Shripal and Mayanasundari were ardent devotees of Navapad.
Mauna Aglyäras
It falls on the eleventh day of the bright half of the month of Magshara during November/ December when a day of complete silence and fasting are observed and meditation is directed towards the Tirthankars whose various Kalyanaks (auspicious life events) fall on this day.
Varsitap:
This yearlong austerity (Tapa) consists of fasting every other day followed by only one or two meal on the next day. This yearlong austerity signifies the event in the life of our first Tirthankar who did not get Gochari (alms) for one year after his initiation (Dikshä).
Mastaka Abhisheka (The Head Anointing Ceremony):
Perhaps the most famous example of Pujä performed on a grand scale in Jainism is the Mastaka Abhisheka (head anointing) ceremony held every twelfth year in Shravanbelgola. This
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