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season, 35 which lasts fifty days, ending the 5th of Bhadra sukla paksa it is considered imperative on every strict Jaina to confess to a priest and receive his āvalan or absolution.
Dr. Wilson thus describes the worship at a temple in the town of Palitana: "After the cait ya was cleansed by a Brahmin, a number of the Vanias and their wives made their appearance. The men carried a wooden case containing the muhapati, pelā, etc. and a quantity of rice. After the name of Adisvara or Rsabha, whose image is adored, was taken, the ground plan of the cait ya, or a symbol called sākhiyā, exactly the same as that depicted on the caves at Karla, was drawn by the men with the grains of rice upon a part of the floor which they had swept. They then commenced a song in praise of the nathas, which they continued for five or six minutes, each person worshipping by himself." 36
The Jaina festivals are especially connected with the anniversaries of the births and deaths of some of the favourite Tirthankaras, particularly the last two.
From the 15th sukla pakşa or full moon of Asadha the par yuşana or period of fasting commences among the Svetambaras, and lasts fifty days-to the 5th Bhadra śukla pakşa. Among the Digambaras it is called daśalak şaņī and being on the latter date, lasting seventy days—till the 14th Kartika. On the 5th of Bhadra sukla pakşa or rsi pañcami, called by the Svetambaras samvatsarī, all the Jainas of one town assemble to listen to the reading of the Kalpa Sūtra by one of their principal Yatis or Gurus (vulgo Guronji). On the preceding day the book is richly adorned and carried in the hands of a youth mounted on an elephant, or horse-back, or seated in a palanquin; the Jainas following to the Guronji on horse-back, in palanquins, and on foot, with music, singing, and dancing. When brought into the house, the book is placed on a kind of throne (sinhâsana) while the company stand before it with joined hands. Offerings are made to the book and a suitable present to the reader, and during the reading the audience occasionally show their attention by repeating "ji ! ji!". After this they sịt and listen to songs in praise of their saints and religion.37
The siddha-cakra pūjā is celebrated twice a year in the months of Asvina and Caitra lasting for nine days, called oli days, from the 7th
36 Popularly called pajjusan, a period of fasting among the Jainas. With the Digam
baras it begins on the 5th Bhadra (Sept-Oct) sukla paksa, and lasts seventy days.
Stevenson, Kalpa Sutra, pref, pp. xxiii-xxiv. They also use the rosary in their prayers. 36 Oriental Christian Spectator, 1835, p. 294. 87 Conf. Kalpa Sutra, pp. 14-19.
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