Significance of Diwali in Jainism
Diwali has a very special significance in Jainism, just like Buddha Purnima, the date of Buddha's Nirvana, is for Buddhists as Christmas is for Christians...Updated On: 10/18/2008 [Total Votes: 174, Hits: 5526]Print

Diwali has a very special significance in Jainism, just like Buddha Purnima, the date of Buddha's Nirvana, is for Buddhists as Christmas is for Christians. Lord Mahavira, the last of the Jain Tirthankaras, attained Nirvana or Moksha on this day at Pavapuri on Oct. 15, 527 BCE, on Chaturdashi of Kartika, as Tilyapannatti of Yativrashaba from the sixth century states:

Lord Mahavira is responsible for establishing the Dharma followed by Jains even today. According to tradition, the chief disciple of Mahavira, Ganadhara Gautam Swami also attained complete knowledge (Kevalgyana) on this day, thus making Diwali one of the most important Jain festivals.

Lord Mahavira attained his nirvana at the dawn of the amavasya (new moon). According to the Kalpasutra by Acharya Bhadrabahu, 3rd century BC, many gods were presentthaer, illuminating the darkness. The following night was pitch black without the light of the gods or the moon. To symbolically keep the light of their master's knowledge alive.

16 Gana-kings, 9 Malla and 9 Lichchhavi, of Kasi and Kosal, illuminated their doors. They said: "Since the light of knowledge is gone, we will make light of ordinary matter".

Deepavali was first mentioned in Jain books as the date of the nirvana of Lord Mahavira. In fact, the oldest reference to Diwali is a related word, dipalikaya or deepalikaya, which occurs in Harivamsha-Purana, written by Acharya Jinasena and composed in the Shaka Samvat era in the year 705.

tatastuh lokah prativarsham-aadarat

prasiddha-deepalikaya-aatra bharate

samudyatah poojayitum jineshvaram

jinendra-nirvana vibhuti-bhaktibhak

Translation: The gods illuminated Pavanagari by lamps to mark the occasion. Since that time, the people of Bharat celebrate the famous festival of "Dipalika" to worship the Jinendra (i.e. Lord Mahavira) on the occasion of his nirvana.

Deepalikaya roughly translates as "light leaving the body". Dipalika, which can be roughly translated as "splenderous light of lamps", is used interchangeably with the word "Diwali".

The way Jains celebrate Diwali is different in many respects. There is a note of asceticism in whatever the Jains do, and the celebration of Diwali is not an exception. The Jains celebrate Diwali during the month of Kartik for three days. During this period, among the Shvetambaras, devoted Jains observe fasting and chant the Uttaradhyayan Sutra, which contain the final pravachans of Lord Mahavira, and meditate upon him. Some Jains visit Pavapuri in Bihar where he attained Nirvan. In may temples special laddus are offered particularly on this day.

Vira Nirvana Samvat: The Jain year starts with Pratipada following Diwali. Vira Nirvana Samvat 2534 starts with Diwali 2007. The Jain businesspeople traditionally started their accounting year from Diwali. The relationship between the Vir and Shaka era is given in Titthogali Painnaya and Dhavalaa by Acharya Virasena:

Thus the Nirvana occurred 605 years and 5 months before the Saka era.

On 21st October 1974 the 2500th Nirvana Mahotsava was celebrated by all the Jain throughout India.

Buddha Purnima, Lord Mahavira, Tilyapannatti of Yativrashaba, Disciple of Mahavira, Chaturdashi of Kartika, Jain Festivals, Kalpasutra by Acharya Bhadrabahu, Lichchhavi of Kasi, Deepavali, Jain Books, Harivamsha-Purana, Acharya Jinasena, Shaka Samvat Era, Worship the Jinendra, Uttaradhyayan Sutra, Nirvana Mahotsav

Buddha Purnima [Vote Average: 2, Total Votes: 160, Hits: 3011]
This is the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar and is celebrated with great enthusiasm...
Updated On: 4/5/2008
Print: Read On...

Significance of Diwali in Hinduism [Vote Average: 3, Total Votes: 180, Hits: 6072]
Symbolically diwali marks the homecoming of goodwill and faith after an absence, as suggested by the Ramayana...
Updated On: 10/18/2008
Print: Read On...

Diwali Candles [Vote Average: 2, Total Votes: 8, Hits: 72]
Diwali candles are available for different price ranges, to satisfy every kind of consumer, in India...
Hindu | Updated On: 10/9/2009
Print: Read On...

Diwali Lamps [Vote Average: 2, Total Votes: 4, Hits: 136]
There is a wide variety of designer and decorative lanterns available in the market that can be customized to suit the individual taste and requirements...
Hindu | Updated On: 10/9/2009
Print: Read On...

Diwali Pooja Thali [Vote Average: 5, Total Votes: 1, Hits: 272]
A puja thali with small pieces of mirrors would look very attractive. First, cover a medium sized steel or bronze thali with bright colored satin cloth...
Hindu | Updated On: 10/9/2009
Print: Read On...

Diwali Legends [Vote Average: 3, Total Votes: 1, Hits: 125]
It is said that the occasion of Diwali is actually the birth anniversary of Goddess Lakshmi. As per Legends, the Goddess of wealth...
Hindu | Updated On: 10/9/2009
Print: Read On...

Diwali Diya [Vote Average: 2, Total Votes: 4, Hits: 471]
Diya is a small earthen lamp primarily lit during Diwali, the festival of lights. Also, known as 'deep', diya is traditionally made of clay...
Hindu | Updated On: 10/9/2009
Print: Read On...

History of Diwali [Vote Average: 3, Total Votes: 24, Hits: 715]
The most famous legend behind the celebrations of Diwali is about the prince of Ayodhya Nagri - Lord Shri Ram. According to the legend, the king of Lanka, Ravan, kidnapped Lord Ram's wife (Sita) from the jungle...
Hindu | Updated On: 10/9/2009
Print: Read On...

Diwali Significance [Vote Average: 2, Total Votes: 9, Hits: 244]
Diwali falls, the Indian festival of lights, falls on the day of 'Amavasyaa', when the moon does not rise and there is darkness all around...
Hindu | Updated On: 10/9/2009
Print: Read On...

Diwali Around The World [Vote Average: 2, Total Votes: 30, Hits: 621]
Diwali is celebrated in almost all the regions of India. Apart from India, the festival is celebrated worldwide...
Hindu | Updated On: 10/9/2009
Print: Read On...

PRINT   TOP