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20- RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS AND GREETINGS
several Tirthankaras. It is a day of silence and many people live the life of an ascetic by staying at Upäshray (temporary residence of ascetics) on that day.
Akshaya Tritiya (Varsitapa Pärnä)
This marks the fast-breaking day of a yearlong fast by the first Tirthankara Lord Rishabhadev. Jains who have been fasting on an alternate day for a year break their fast by drinking fresh sugar cane juice.
Jain Greetings
Jai Jinendra
When you greet another Jain, the usual salutation is Jai Jinendra meaning Honor to the Supreme Jina (Tirthankara).
Michchhämi Dukkadam
Michchhämi Dukkadam is another greeting which requests forgiveness and is usually spoken after performing the annual forgiveness and repentance day ritual known as Samvatsari Pratikraman. Ideally, the forgiveness should be requested as soon as one realizes his/her mistake.
He who feels all beings to be like himself and who has stopped all the doors of the Karmic influx, such a self-restrained person does not suffer the bondage of sinful deeds
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