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Their Rites, Cults and Religious Festivals : 183
seen Mahāvīra for the last time. During the night, Jains celebrate joyously Lord Mahāvīra's liberation called “Divāli or "Dīpāvali " (the feast of lamps) that coincides with Hindu “Divālī”. A multitude of lamps are lighted to honour he who, according to Jain tradition, “has granted light to the world”. It is also the commemoration of the illumination of Indrabhūti Gautama, one of his chief disciples.
Next day, the 1st of the bright fortnight, it is the “New Year of the era of Lord Mahāvīra's liberation “Vira Nirvāņa Saṁvat". Jains who are in business begin a new commercial year and start their new books of counts. The 2nd day is the festival called "Bhāi Bija" and the 5th "jñāna pañcami" when right knowledge is especially honoured by the Jains. From the 84 to the 15th day it is “kārtika așțāhnika” during which there are fasts and worshipping of the “siddhacakra”. The 14th day, it is the four-monthly “caturdaśī", the Svetambara perform an elaborated “pratikramana”. The 15th day (day of the full moon)) it is “kārtika pārņima" when the end of the rainy season (cāturmāsa) is celebrated. Ascetics go on the roads again and some Jains in pilgrimage to Satruñjaya. A procession is organised in Calcutta. It is also the anniversary of the birth of the great Acārya Hemacandra.
or "Agrahāyaṇa
Lunar month of “Mārgasirsa" (November/December)
The 1'st day of the bright fortnight of this month is the anniversary of Puşpadanta's birth. The 11"' day is the festival called "Mauna ekādasi”. Jains spend this day to fast in silence (mauna) and to practice meditation during twelve or twenty-four hours. They commemorate also the anniversary of Malli's birth and on the 14" day that of Ara.
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Lunar month of “Paușa” (December / January)
On the 11th day of the bright fortnight of this month Jains celebrate the anniversary of Lord Pārsva's birth. They fast for three days. It is
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