Processions of Fasting and Ascetic Devotees to be Held on September 26
Jaipur. Members of the Digambar Jain community will celebrate the Kshamavani Parva, also known as Padwa Dhok, on Sunday, September 27, marking the conclusion of the 10-day/11-day Das Lakshan Mahaparva.
On Saturday, September 26, processions accompanied by bands and devotional music will be taken out at various places to honour devotees who have undertaken prolonged fasting, vows and austerities during the festival. The devotees completing their religious observances will be ceremonially brought out of the Jain temples.
On Sunday evening, Kalashabhishek of Shri Ji will be performed at Digambar Jain temples across Jaipur and surrounding areas on the conclusion of the Shodashkaran observances, followed by Maha Aarti. Thereafter, the Kshamavani or Padwa Dhok festival will be celebrated outside the temples, creating a festive atmosphere.
Rajasthan Jain Yuva Mahasabha state general secretary Vinod Jain ‘Kotkhawada’ said devotees will seek forgiveness from one another for mistakes and wrongdoings committed during the past year. They will seek blessings from elders by touching their feet, while people of the same age group will embrace each other and exchange khopra-mishri as a symbol of forgiveness.
Jain community members will visit each other’s homes until late at night to seek and offer forgiveness. A festive atmosphere is expected in Jaipur as well as villages and towns across the district, particularly around Digambar Jain temples and along the roads leading to them.
Processions for Devotees Completing 16- and 32-Day Fasts
Vinod Jain said devotees who have undertaken 16-day and 32-day fasts, along with other prolonged religious austerities, will be ceremonially brought out of the temples with bands and devotional music on Monday, September 28, marking the completion of their penance.
Monday will also mark the Garbha Kalyanak of Lord Naminath, the 21st Tirthankara of Jainism.