` Festo Fest - The new era to know about your Culture and Dharma

All News

Jain
17 Apr 2021

Diwali in Jainism: The Significance of Lord Mahavira's Nirvana

pWhile most of the world associates Diwali with lights, fireworks, and the Hindu celebration of Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya, for Jains, this festival holds an entirely different and profoundly spiritual meaning. Diwali marks the anniversary of Lord Mahavira's attainment of Nirvana (moksha)—his final liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. On the new moon night of Kartik (October-November) in 527 BCE, Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara of this cosmic cycle, achieved ultimate spiritual freedom, leaving behind his physical body and the material world forever./p pThis event transformed Diwali from merely a festival of lights into a celebration of spiritual illumination—the ultimate light of knowledge that dispels the darkness of ignorance, attachment, and karmic bondage. For Jains, Diwali represents not just historical commemoration but a reminder of the soul's potential for complete liberation and an inspiration to walk the spiritual path Mahavira illuminated./p

Jain
17 Apr 2021

Jain Festivals and Their Philosophy of Non-Violence

pIn a world often defined by conflict, consumption, and the pursuit of power, Jainism offers a radically different vision—one where the highest spiritual achievement is complete non-violence, where every living being possesses inherent worth, and where festivals celebrate not conquest or abundance but restraint, forgiveness, and the soul's journey toward liberation. Jain festivals, while sharing India's festive calendar with other traditions, carry distinctive meanings that consistently emphasize ahimsa (non-violence), spiritual discipline, and the philosophical principles that make Jainism one of humanity's most ethically rigorous spiritual traditions./p pUnderstanding Jain festivals requires understanding that they're not merely cultural celebrations but intensive spiritual practices dressed in festive form. Each festival embodies core Jain philosophical principles, particularly ahimsa, and serves as opportunity for deepening spiritual commitment, purifying karma, and progressing toward moksha (liberation). This comprehensive exploration examines major Jain festivals and reveals how non-violence philosophy permeates every aspect of their observance./p

Jain
17 Apr 2021

How Jain Communities Celebrate Kartik Purnima Worldwide

div div pAs the full moon rises on the last day of the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November), Jain communities across the globe mark Kartik Purnima—a festival that, while significant across several Indian traditions, holds unique meaning within Jainism. This day commemorates the conclusion of chaturmas, the four-month monsoon period when Jain monks and nuns remain stationary, and celebrates the profound spiritual principle that even the movement of ascetics must align with the rhythm of nature and the imperative of ahimsa (non-violence)./p /div /div div div pUnlike festivals marked by grand festivities or elaborate rituals, Kartik Purnima in Jain tradition emphasizes quiet devotion, completion of spiritual disciplines, and renewed commitment to the path of liberation. Yet as Jain communities have spread across continents—from ancient settlements in India to modern diaspora in North America, Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia—the celebration has evolved, adapting to new contexts while maintaining its essential spiritual core. This exploration reveals how Jains worldwide honor this sacred day, the philosophy underlying their practices, and how tradition and adaptation coexist in global Jain communities./p /div /div div div The Spiritual Significance: Why Kartik Purnima Matters /div /div div div pTo understand how Jains celebrate Kartik Purnima, we must first grasp why it holds significance in Jain cosmology and practice./p /div /div div div The End of Chaturmas /div /div div div pChaturmas context: The four-month period from July to October, coinciding with the Indian monsoon, is when Jain monks and nuns cease their continuous wandering and remain in one location. This practice dates back to Lord Mahavira's time and reflects a fundamental Jain principle: non-violence toward all life forms./p /div /div div div pDuring the monsoon, the earth teems with life. Heavy rains bring countless insects, worms, and microorganisms to the surface. Vegetation flourishes. Walking through this abundance inevitably causes harm—crushing insects underfoot, damaging plants, and disturbing thriving ecosystems. For Jain ascetics committed to absolute non-violence, traveling during this period would violate their most fundamental vow./p /div /div div div pThe philosophy: This practice embodies several profound principles:/p /div /div div div ol liSeasonal awareness: Spiritual practice must harmonize with natural cycles, not oppose them/li liEcological consciousness: The recognition that human activity impacts countless life forms, many invisible to the naked eye/li liSacrifice for principle: Monks and nuns surrender their freedom of movement for four months, accepting restriction to honor life/li liCommunity engagement: The stationary period allows deeper engagement with lay communities, enabling teaching, study, and mutual spiritual support/li /ol /div /div

Jain
17 Apr 2021

महावीर स्वामी का सबसे बड़ा सिद्धांत अहिंसा का था। उन्होंने अपने अनुयायी के लिए अहिंसा, सत्य, आचार्य, ब्रह्मचर्य और अपरिग्रह के पांच व्रतों का पालन करना सिखाया।

pवर्धमान ने केवल तीस वर्ष की आयु में ज्ञान प्राप्ति के लिए महल के भोगों का परित्याग करके तपस्या का मार्ग अपनाया था।/p

Jain
17 Apr 2021

India’s Jain Temples Are Incredible Architectural Marvels

pFrom a 1,000-pillar temple with no two carved the same, to a temple atop a hill offering sensational views, you’ll want to visit these 13 Jain temples in India that are architectural marvels./p p /p

Jain
17 Apr 2021

Saavira Kambada Basadi, Moodabidri

pSaavira Kambada Basadi is a magnificent thousand pillar temple at Moodabidri. The temple town is also popularly known as Jain Kashi’ of India since it is dotted with many Jain temples. Let’s find out more about Saavira Kambada Basadi./p pKarnataka has a vibrant cultural heritage, encompassed in its beautiful temples and breathtaking towns. One of these heritage cities in Moodabidri, a temple town has a curious connection with the number 18 – it houses 18 temples, with 18 roads that connect the different villages in the vicinity, adorned with 18 lakes, and also the home to 18 Jain Basadis./p

Jain
17 Apr 2021

Paryushana: The Festival of Forgiveness and Self-Reflection

pIn an age dominated by material pursuits, social media conflicts, and perpetual busyness, an ancient Jain festival offers profound wisdom about slowing down, looking inward, and healing relationships. Paryushana, celebrated annually by Jains worldwide, is far more than a religious observance—it's a transformative period of intensive self-reflection, spiritual discipline, and most remarkably, collective forgiveness that has the power to heal years of hurt and restore broken bonds./p pFor eight to ten days (depending on sect), Jains intensify their spiritual practices, fast, study sacred texts, and culminate the festival with Samvatsari—the Day of Forgiveness—when millions seek and grant forgiveness to every person they've knowingly or unknowingly hurt. This practice of universal forgiveness, combined with rigorous self-examination and restraint, offers timeless wisdom that transcends religious boundaries and speaks to universal human needs for reconciliation, mindfulness, and spiritual renewal./p