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Lunar month of "Śrāvaṇa” (July/August)
The 1st day of the dark fortnight of this month, Jains commemorate the first sermon that Mahāvīra gave in 557 BC on Mount Vipala, near Rajgriha. It is the festival called "Vīra śāsana-jayanti”.
Their Rites, Cults and Religious Festivals : 181
The 6th day of the bright fortnight is the anniversary of Nemi's birth. The 7th day is "Mokṣa-saptami", the anniversary of "Pārsva's nirvana" on Mount Parasnath.
On the 15th day it is full moon and also the celebration called "Rakṣā-bandhana" in memory of the rescue, by the saint Visņu Kumāra, of 700 ascetics that the tyrant Bali wanted to kill. This day symbolizes for the Jains the protection of religion and ascetics. It is also the commemoration of Śreyamsa's liberation.
· Lunar month of "Bhādra” (August/September)
The 1st day of the dark fortnight of this month begins with "Śodașakāraṇa-vrata" that lasts all the month and celebrates the sixteen Jain aspirations engaged in good works towards all living beings. From the 12th day of this fortnight to the 4th day of the bright fortnight, Śvetambara celebrate "Paryūṣaṇa parva" the most important festival of the year marked by fasts, veneration of the Jina and the public reading of Mahāvīra's life in the Kalpasūtra.
From the 1st day to the 3rd day of the bright fortnight "labdhividhāna vrata" heralds three days of composure and fast. On the 3rd day young girls do a special fast called "Trailokya vrata"". The 4th day statues are washed and bathed, temples cleaned and decorated par those who practice that cult. The 5th day it is the end of Śvetambara's "Paryūṣaṇa" and the great day of repentance and forgiveness called "Samvatsarī pratikramaņa". The adepts reflect on the sins they have committed during the year, confess them and ask for absolution. They do penances and write to their relatives, friends and acquaintances to pardon them for the evil they might have done
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