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Ayambil Oli: The semi-fasting austerity of ayambil oli occurs twice a year, in April (Caitra) and October (Aaso), for nine days. Devotees listen to the epic story of Shripal and Mayanasundari, and worship the nava pada, i.e. the pancha parmesthis, the Three Jewels and the austerities.
Akshaya Tritiya: Following the example of Risabhdeva, some perform the austerity of varsi tapa, described in chapter 2.0, and break the fast on the auspicious day of akshay tritiya (sometime in May), at Satrunjay or Hastinapur. Offering food and other necessities to the ascetics by the devotees on this special day is considered a pious act. Saanta Pancami: This Digambar festival is celebrated in May/June to
commemorate the day when the first Digambar canonical scripture was put into writing by Aacaaryas Puspadant and Bhutabali in 150 CE. It is observed as a day of veneration of the scriptures, emphasising the history and the importance of preserving Jain texts and scriptures.
Raksaa Bandhan: This festival is celebrated in July/August along with discourses on the legendary story of Vishnukumar Muni, reminding the people the duty of the strong to protect the weak.
Vir Sasan Jayanti: This sacred day commemorates the first sermon of Mahavira after attaining omniscience, and the establishment of the fourfold order (sangha). Astaanhika Mahotsava is festival of eight days that occurs thrice a year in October/November, March/April and July/August. According to the traditional belief celestial beings celebrate this eternal festival at the nandyavarta temples, described in Jain geography. During these sacred eight days, fasting, narrative recitals concerning the Three Jewels and austerities take place, and ritualised worship is performed with mystical diagrams before the images.
Atthai Mahotsava: This eight day festival of ritualistic pujaas, recitations and community gatherings can take place on any auspicious occasion such as an installation ceremony.
Pratisthaa: This is the ceremony of installing images of the tirthankaras in a newly built or renovated temple. Among Svetambars, anjana salaakaa is performed as a consecration ritual before the installation of the image takes place, while Digambars perform the panca kalyanaka ritual for the consecration of an image. The installation ceremony lasts from three to sixteen days with elaborate rituals and pujaas, including reenactments of the lives of the tirthankaras. The piety of these occasions attracts devotees from far and wide, including ascetics who may travel (on foot) for months to attend. Installation ceremonies attract many donations from devotees. On each day of the ceremony there is a communal dinner. Fifteen thousand people attended the installation ceremony at the Jain Centre Leicester in the United Kingdom in 1988,
Panca Kalyanaka Mahotsava: Digambar ritualists perform the consecration with the panca kalyanaka of the images by re-enacting the conception, birth, renunciation, omniscience and moksa of tirthankaras. The installation ceremony follows immediately. Dwajaarohana: On the anniversary of an installation ceremony the old flag is taken down and a specially decorated and venerated new flag is hoisted on to the spire of the temple. A special ritual consisting of seventeen forms of pujaa is undertaken on this day. The whole community celebrates this occasion and takes part in the community dinner. This long pennant-shaped flag, often red and white, which is changed every year, is a distinguishing emblem flying over many Jain temples in India
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