Introduction :

Jainism is one of the oldest religion in the world. It believes in the cyclical nature of the universe. Jains are the followers of 'Jinas' which means conqueror. To conquer love and pleasure, hatred and pain, and thereby freeing his/her vices from the karmas obscuring love, knowledge, perception, truth and ability is called a Jina. Jainism is also a syncretistic religion which contains many elements similar to both Hinduism and Buddhism.

Jainism Teaches The Theme of Self-Conquest :

The very word jaina is derived from jina or conqueror.Carrying the idea of self-conquest to its extreme, Jainism has become the world’s most rigorously ascetic faith. God has no place in this system. The popular gods of Hinduism are accepted, but they are placed lower than the jinas, who are regarded as truly deserving worship.

Mahavira Swami- The Preacher of Jainism :

Mahavira, though usually accepted as the founder of the faith in the context of history, is said to be the last of a line of 24 jinas. All of them are said to have attained perfect wisdom (kaivalya) by vanquishing their desires and breaking their bonds with the material world. The jinas are also referred to as the Tirthankaras (fordmakers or crossing-makers). The crossing refers to the passage from the material to the spiritual realm, from bondage to freedom.

Principles of Jainism :

Ahimsa or Non-Violence is considered to be the most basic doctrine of Jain Philosophy. Traditionally, Jain code of conduct are made up of 5 vows; Ahimsa, Satya or truthfulness, Asetya or non-Stealing, Aparagriha or non- possessiveness, and Brahmacharya or chastity.Concept of Vegetarianism in Jainism emanated from Jiva-Daya or the concept of compassion for living beings. Vegetarianism is often seen as an extension of the concept of non-violence and peaceful, cooperative existence. Jains are strict vegetarians and consumed only from the one sensed plant kingdom for survival and with minimal use of violence. Everyone is bound by the karma (one's accumulated good and bad deeds).The objective of Jainism is to liberate oneself from the cycle of life and death called Moksha. One who's able to achieve Moksha is called a Siddha

Digambaras and Svetambaras -- Categories of Jainism :

Jainism is divided into two sects; the Digambaras (sky clad) and the Svetambaras (white clad).The Digambaras believe that Jains should be naked, or sky clad, to emulate Mahaviras way of life, that is, complete abandonment of material wealth and to exercise absolute non violence.However, but this dictum is sometimes carried to extreme limits by Digambaras, who are often seen with their nose and mouth covered by a fine cloth mask to ensure that they do not involuntarily kill germs while breathing.The Svetambaras, on the other hand, wear white clothes and are moderate in their approach to Jainism.The greatest glory of Jain religious art lies in temple architecture, particularly at Ranakpur and Mount Abu in Rajasthan.

Festivals :

Mahavira Jayanti : The birthday of Vardhmana Mahavira is celebrated without any pomp or ceremony in quiet prayer.

Deep Diwali : This festival marks the liberation of Mahavira from the cycle of life and death. Celebrated 10 days after the Hindu festival of Diwali, Deep Diwali too is a festival of lights which are used to illumnate the world after the passing of the ‘light of the world’ (that is, Mahavira). The display at Mount Girnar near Junagadh is quite splendid.

Anointing of Gomateshwara : A 57m tall statue of Gomateshwara, son of the first Tirthankara, Rishabha, stands in Shravana Belgola in Karnataka. The Mastakabhisheka festival (anointment ceremony) is held every 15 years when the statue is bathed in 16 traditional precious substances which include milk, saffron and ghee (clarified butter), silver, gold and gems.