Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 34 views

    Jain Festivals: Mahamastakabhisheka Festival (Held Every 12 Years)

    Uploaded by

    Benny Winkelman Batchelor

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Jain Festivals: Mahamastakabhisheka Festival (Held Every 12 Years)

    Uploaded by

    Benny Winkelman Batchelor
    34 views1 page

    Original Title

    J

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    34 views1 page

    Jain Festivals: Mahamastakabhisheka Festival (Held Every 12 Years)

    Uploaded by

    Benny Winkelman Batchelor

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 1

    Victoria and Albert Museum The world's leading museum of art and design Open daily 10.00 to 17.

    Open daily 10.00 to 17.45 Admission free

    HOME VISIT COLLECTIONS JOIN AND SUPPORT LEARN WHAT'S ON SHOP SEARCH

    Jain festivals

    Religious festivals play an important part in


    the Jain community. They provide a focus
    for communal celebration and an
    opportunity to show devotion and gain
    merit. Participation in these festivals is
    optional, not obligatory.

    The principal festivals in the Jain calendar


    are:

    Mahamastakabhisheka festival (held every


    12 years) What's on at the V&A?
    The Mahamastakabhisheka festival is held Pilgrims at the feet of Bahubali, photograph,
    every twelve years to honour Lord Bahubali Raju Shah, Karnataka, 2006
    (Gommatesvara), the son of the 1st
    Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha. This takes place in Sravanabelgola in Karnataka, South
    India. This 30-day festival was celebrated in February 2006, where the photographs
    below were taken. The tradition of the head-anointing ceremony
    (Mahamastakabhisheka) has been performed continuously since 981, when the colossal Explore the V&A's huge range of events
    statue, 58 feet tall, was first carved on top of the Vindyagiri hill. It is lustrated with holy about the designed world, from blockbuster
    substances from head to foot, much to the delight of pilgrim devotees who assemble exhibitions to intimate displays and
    installations, world-class talks, casual and
    there in great numbers.
    accredited training courses and conferences
    with expert contemporary speakers. Browse,
    The story behind this festival involvestwo step-sons, Bahubali and Bharata, who had
    search and book onto our unrivalled event
    fought a duel to take over the other's kingdom. Bahubali won the duel, but realised he programme for all ages and levels of
    was about to commit the sin of fratricide and decided to spare Bharata and asked for expertise.
    forgiveness. He fled to the forest, pulled out his hair and stood in meditation in the body
    abandonment posture (kayotsarga) for such a long time (believed to be twelve months) Book onto a great event now
    that creepers wound round him and vines embraced his body while snakes sheltered in
    the anthills that grew up beside him. Eventually he attained supreme knowledge and
    liberation (moksha). Related objects

    Search the Collections home

    Statue of Bahubali being anointed with milk, Statue of Bahubali being anointed with rice
    photograph, Raju Shah, Karnataka, 2006 flour, photograph, Raju Shah, Karnataka, 2006

    Mahavir Jayanti (annual)


    Mahavira's birthday is on the 13th day of the month of Caitra in the Indian calendar,
    which falls in late March or early April. Mahavira's auspicious birth (kalnayaka) is
    observed by both Jain sects, the Digambaras ('sky clad' or naked) and Svetambaras
    ('white clad' or clothed).and in India images of Mahavira are paraded in the streets with
    much pomp and celebration.

    Paryushana (annual)
    This is observed around August or September. This is the oldest known Jain festival,
    celebrated for eight days by the Svetambaras and for ten days as Dasalaksanaparvan by
    the Digambaras. Paryushana is a time for fasting and the taking of vows, whereby
    participants impose restrictions and hardships on themselves in order to keep their
    minds firmly fixed on religion.

    People go to temples, worship the Tirthankaras (or Jinas), which are perfected-beings
    that serve as role models to guide the faithful on the proper path to liberation from the
    endless cycles of rebirth. Worshipers also hear religious talks based on the Kalpasutra,
    which gives details of the lives of the Tirthankaras and codes of conduct for the ascetic
    community. Finally, they perform Pratikraman (ritualised confession).

    The final day is known as Samvatsari (Annual) and involves a ceremony of communal
    repentance and the seeking of pardon from all living creatures. On this day most of the
    Jains recite the Tassa Michchhami Dukkadam (Forgiveness for my Misdeeds) to each
    other after the annual Pratikraman. The Digambaras' Paryushana revolves round the
    recitation of the ten chapters from the Tattvarthasutra and homilies delivered on the
    ten religious virtues.

    Diwali (annual)
    This is usually held in mid-October and is called the festival of lights. This is the day
    when Mahavira attained nirvana or moksha. There is no fasting. Many Jains also make
    offerings (puja) to Laksmi, the goddess of wealth, in order to promote prosperity. The
    day after Diwali is the New Year, when Mahavira's chief disciple Gautamaswami
    attained supreme knowledge and marks the beginning of the new commercial year
    when merchants open a fresh set of financial books.

    Visit On now and coming Resources Commercial About the V&A


    soon
    Opening times National Art Library Exhibitions for hire About us

    Getting here Exhibitions Study rooms Licensing Contact us

    Map Displays Archives Venue hire Support us

    Eat & drink Courses Textiles study centre National work Research

    Gallery closures Search the Collections International work Conservation

    Disability & access Corporate Sponsorship Jobs

    Museum of Childhood Corporate Membership Press

    © Victoria and Albert Museum, London 2016 Privacy &


    We use cookies to enhance your experience on V&A websites. Read our cookie policy to find out more.
    cookies ✕
    Terms of use

    You might also like