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JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XL, NO. 1 July 2005
4. Songs ralated to worships
Performing of pūjās and special worships (Nompis) are there in Jaina folksongs of Karnataka. They beautifully describe the temple atmosphere and the devotional songs sung there. One song says that even the parrots sitting on the coconut tree at the temple also sing the songs in praise of Lord Päravanatha
Basadi bāgila munde hasiru tengina gida kusūlada yaradu ginigolu/pādidave parama pāreesana padagolā//
In another song, the “Anantana Vrata' performed at the temple, its glory are described. It is said that, at the Hārige (a village) temple milky abhișeka is performed throughtout night, and father of the family has undertaken a new worship there :
Hārige bastheeli halanthā abhişekā Ananthara nompi / Belathanka Allaithappaige hosānompi //
Here, when the singer describes it as 'pouring of the milk, “throughout night'- the milkywhite appearence of the god's statue, and large group of devotees watching the pūjā, appear before our inner eyes.
5. Songs about places of pilgrimage
Karnataka is one of the firm bases of Jainism. There are many places of pilgrimage for Jains in this state. Most important of them isShravanabelagola, where the world renowned 57 feet large monolithie idol of Lord Gomațeśvara is present. Many folksongs have been collected in Karnataka which express the devotion of Jains to this place and their desire to visit this place and have a darśana of Bhagavān Bāhubali (Gomateśvara). Some of these are long narrative songs which tell about the starting of pilgrimage, their pledging to observe certain limitations till they see the statue of god, calling other villagers to join them, their reaching Shravanabelagola and conducting big Abhișeka ceremony to the lord etc.
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