Indian Public Holidays » Jain Holidays

Mahavir Jayanti 2011 sms, wallpapers, scraps

editor — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 07:56:55 +0000

Mahavir Jayanti 2011 – Catch here all the latest amplestuff of Mahavir Jayanti sms, wishes, messages, scraps, wallpapers download and send or share these all to your friendsand relatives.

In Jainism, Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is the most important religious holiday. It celebrates the birth of Mahavira, the last Tirthankara. He was born on the 13th day of the rising moon of Chaitra, in either 599 BC or 615 BC (depending on religious tradition).

”Satya” ”Ahinsa” Dharm hamara.
”Navkar” hamari shaan hai,
”Mahaveer” jaisa nayak paya….
”jain hamari pehchaan haia.”
jai mahaveer jayenti

Tu karta woh he jo tu chahta hai
Par hota he woh jo me chahta hu
Tu woh kar jo me chahta hu
Fir wo hoga jo tu chahta ha
Happy Mahavir Jayanti

Arihant ki boli
siddhon ka saar
Acharyon ka path
sadhuo ka sath
Ahinsa ka prachar

Right faith (samyak-darshana),
Right knowledge (samyak-Dnyana),
Right conduct (samyak-charitra)
all gives us the real path to attain the liberation of one’s self.
Happy Mahavir Jayanti 2011

The Best way to observe
such auspicious occasion is to
strive for peace and strengthening
the bonds of brotherhood…
Happy Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti scraps @ http://www.orkutmasti.com/pictures/greetings/mahavir-jayanti.html

Tags: Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti 2011 festival celebrated by Jain community

editor — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:51:46 +0000

Mahavir Jayanti 2011 festival celebrated by Jain community. MahavirJayanti 2011 date falling on 16th of April 2011 Saturday.Send or share MahavirJayanti greetings, greeting cards for all your friends and relatives. Catch here all the latest news and updated reports on the Jains festival MahavirJayanti.

Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal on Friday Congratulated to the his people on the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. In a message Badal has passed a statement the different kinda of the society to follow the philosophy and teachings of Lord Mahavira, who taught the principles of simple living and thinking big to achieve the ultimate goal of salvation. Mr.Badal said that Lord Mahavir for universal brotherhood as well. Jains celebrate Mahavir Jayanti with joy to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira. Jains decorating the Jain temples dramatically and lavishly with color flags. Followers and devotees of Lord Mahavira offer ceremonial bath to the statue of Mahaveera in the early morning called ‘abhishek’ and gifts fruits and other scruptious dishes. Jains also make offerings of food including milk, fruits, rice and more to the poor.

Tags: Mahavir Jayanti

Uttam Kshama and Das Lakshan Dharm, Greeting Cards

editor — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 06:30:25 +0000

Uttam Kshama and Das Lakshan Dharm

Paryushan Parva ended yesterday and today is another ritual called Uttam Kshama. Kshama means Forgiveness – Dashlakshan Dharm, Uttam Kshama and Uttam Maardav, Kshama Parv Greeting Cards or Free Kshama Parv Greetings are here below. Send Free Kshamavani Divas Greetings and Wishes to all your Friends, Family and relatives.”Uttam Kshama” is part of the 10-day-long Jain festival Dashlakshan Parv in Jainism.

A very Happy Daslakshan parva & Payurshan Parva to all the living creatures on earth.Today is the First Day that is Uttam Kshama(eternal Forgiveness).First Day is Utam Kshama Diwas is the auspicious day. Jain’s Daslakshan / Paryushan Parvs is celebrated from 12th September 2010 to 22nd Sep 2010 for 10 days. Dashlakshan Parv is a ten day festival, It includes religious activities like Abhishek, Pooja, Swadhyay, Dhyaan etc On Day 1 of Uttam Kshama, This day celebrates Uttam Kshama meaning Supreme Forgiveness. On Day 2 of Uttam Maardav, This day celebrates Uttam Maardav meaning Supreme Tenderness/Humility.

Das Lakshan Dharm

Uttam Kshama Dharm
Uttam Mardav Dharm
Uttam Arjav Dharm
Uttam Shauch Dharm
Uttam Satya Dharm
Uttam Sanyam Dharm
Uttam Tapa Dharm
Uttam Tyag Dharm
Uttam Aakichhan Dharm
Uttam Bhramcharya Dharm

Ten Daslakshan Parva or Das Lakshan Dharm Meaning

Uttam Kshama Dharm (Supreme Forgiveness) – To observe tolerance whole-heartedly, shunning anger.
Uttam Mardav Dharm (Tenderness or Humility) – To observe the virtue of humility subduing vanity and passions.
Uttam Arjav Dharm (Straight-forwardness or Honesty) – To practice a deceit-free conduct in life by vanquishing the passion of deception.
Uttam Shauch Dharm (Contentment or Purity) – To keep the body, mind and speech pure by discarding greed.
Uttam Satya Dharm (Truthfulness) – To speak affectionate and just words with a holy intention causing no injury to any living being.
Uttam Sanyam Dharm (Self-restraint) – To defend all living beings with utmost power in a cosmopolitan spirit abstaining from all the pleasures provided by the five senses – touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing; and the sixth – mind.
Uttam Tapa Dharm (Penance or Austerities) – To practice austerities putting a check on all worldly allurements.
Uttam Tyag Dharm (Renunciation) – To give fourfold charities – Ahara (food), Abhaya (fearlessness), Aushadha (medicine), and Shastra Dana (distribution of Holy Scriptures), and to patronize social and religious institutions for self and other uplifts.
Uttam Aakichhan Dharm (Non-attachment) – To enhance faith in the real self as against non-self i.e., material objects; and to discard internal, anger and pride; and external, accumulation of gold, diamonds, and royal treasures.
Uttam Bhramcharya Dharm (Chastity or celibacy) – To observe the great vow of celibacy; to have devotion for the inner soul and the omniscient Lord; to discard the carnal desires, vulgar fashions, child and old-age marriages, dowry dominated.

Tags: jain festival, Uttam Kshama

Paryushan cards – 2010 Michhami Dukkadam greetings, Michchhami Dukkadam greeting

editor — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:04:26 +0000

Paryushan cards – Send all new and latest 2010 Michhami Dukkadam greetings, Jain Michchhami Dukkadam greeting to all your friends and relatives.

Michami Dukadam – Paryushana (or Paryusan) is one of the two most important festivals for the Jains. Paryushan means, literally, “abiding” or “coming together”. It is also a time when the laity take on vows of study and fasting with a spiritual intensity similar to temporary monasticism. In the scriptures it is described that Lord Mahavira used to start Paryushana on Bhadrapada paksha panchami. After Mahavir, nearly 150 years Jain Samvatsari was shifted to Chaturthi (4th day of Bhadrapada of Shukla phase. Since 2200 years Jains follows Chaturthi.

Tags: Michhami Dukkadam, Paryushan

Paryushan sms – 2010 Michhami Dukkadam sms messages

editor — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:39:09 +0000

Paryushan sms – send all new and latest 2010 Michhami Dukkadam sms messages to your friends and relatives. Michami Dukadam sms messages are given below.

Paryushana (or Paryusan) is one of the two most important festivals for the Jains, the other being Diwali. Paryusan means, literally, “abiding” or “coming together”. Paryusana is also a time when the laity take on vows of study and fasting with a spiritual intensity similar to temporary monasticism. In the scriptures it is described that Lord Mahavira used to start Paryushana on Bhadrapada paksha panchami. After Mahavir, nearly 150 years Jain Samvatsari was shifted to Chaturthi (4th day of Bhadrapada of Shukla phase. Since 2200 years Jains follows Chaturthi.

Paryushan sms

Navkar mara man mai che, Jain maro darm che,
Grudev ma mara pran che, Mox ni mane apeksha che…
Paryushan Mahaparva Nimite Jai Jenendra…
Bole chale MICCHAMI DUKKADAM…..

yad karya pan yad na ave ,manne samjavya pan kai
natijo na avye , aje mara antar thi akejj vat avye che ,
tamara bhavna akand che ane mara lidhe koi janta
ajanta bhul thai hoe , to michami dukkadam.divya…..

On this Holy Day of Mahaparva Parsyushan,
May i Ask for Your Forgivness If Knowingly or Unknowingly i where Wrong On Our Deed, Word, or Action.
MICHAMI DUKHDAM

Paryushan ka aagman hai
dharam dhyan ki rut hai
dharam karo karm ko todo
yahi sandesh duniya ko do
“JEEO AUR JEENE DO”
AHINSA PARMO DHARM”
JAI JINENDRA……………..

Ver nu karo visarjan, Prem nu karo sarjan, Man,
Vachan, Kaya thi janta ajanta aapna dil ne dubhavyu
hot to aap ne mara antah karan purvak na
michhami dukkadam……

May this Paryushan Parv brings you happiness and prosperity.
May we all get self-purification and uplift so that we can adhere
the ten universal virtues in our practical life successfully.

Tags: Paryushan

Michchhami Dukkadam – Jain Paryushan Parva 2010

editor — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:33:54 +0000

Michchhami Dukkadam or Michhami Dukkadam – Jain Paryushan Parva 2010. On this auspicious occasion of Paryushan Parv we wish you all Michami Dukadam! Paryusan is a festival of fasts and spiritual awareness held during the last 10 days of the Jain year.

This festival gives an oppurunity for asking of forgiveness from friends and relatives for both intentional and unintentional wrongs. Jain festival – ‘Paryushan Parva’ celebrated in the auspicious month ‘Bhadrapad’ (Mid-August to Mid-September) of the Hindu calendar extends from the fifth day to fourteenth day of the bright fortnight. Paryusan Parv also known as Dash Lakshan Parva is the Jain festival celebrated for self-purification and uplift of oneself. ParyushanParva 2010 dates – Paryushan begins for Digamber on September 12, 2010., and for Shwetambar begins on 4th September, 2010. It extends from the fifth day to fourteenth day of Shukla Paksha or bright fortnight of Bhadrapad maasa. Paryushan means, literally, “abiding” or “coming together”.

It is also a time when the laity take on vows of study and fasting with a spiritual intensity similar to temporary monasticism. Michchhami Dukkadam that is the end of Paryushan Parv(Shewtamber jain) & start of Dash Lakshan Parv(Digamber Jain) falls on 12th Srptember for the year 2010.

Tags: Jain Paryushan Parva 2010, Michchhami Dukkadam

Important Festivals and fasts during April 2010

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 02:16:36 +0000

Important Festivals and fasts during April 2010 are here. You are aware that India is a culturally and religiously diverse society. India celebrates various holidays and festivals and the following is a List of Festivals or on which devotees can observe fast in India. These festivals and fasts are observed in various regions in India. The festival or feast date and Fastings in the month of April are listed below.

Important Festivals and fasts during April 2010

2 Ganesh Chaturthi Vrata
10 Varuthini Ekadishi
11 Pradosh Vrata
12 Shiva Chaturdashi Vrata
13 Pratikraman (Swetambar Jain)
14 Satuvayi Amavasya, Bathdonation Shraddha Amavasya
15 Purshottam Month start
16 Chandradarshan
18 Vinayaka Chaturthi
18 Rohini Vrata (Digambar Jain)
24 Purshottami or Kamala Ekadashi
26 Pradosh Vrata
27 Pratikraman (Swetambar Jain)
28 Bath donation Vrata Purnima

What is Fasting?

Fasting is an act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, during Important Holy festivals. A complete fast in its traditional definition is abstinence of all food and liquids.

Tags: Fast during April 2010, fasts, festivals, Hindu Festivals

Mahavir Jayanti 2010, MahavirJayanti festival sms and pictures

editor — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 13:18:34 +0000

Mahavir Jayanti 2010 – In Jainism, Mahaveer Janma Kalyanak is the most important religious holiday. MahavirJayanti celebrates the birth of Mahavira, Mahaveera the last Tirthankara. Download Mahaveer Jayanthi festival exclusive pictures and send sms from the collection here links @ MahavirJayantipictures _ MahavirJayantisms. MahavirJayanti2010 date is on Sunday 28th March. Mahaveera was born on the 13th day of the rising moon of Chaitra, in either 599 BC or 615 BC (depending on religious tradition). According to the Digambar school of Jains or Jainis , Lord Mahaveer was born in the year 615 BC, but the Swetambaras believe that He was born in 599 BC. MahavirJayantifestival occurs in late March or early April on the Gregorian calendar every year. On Mahavir Jayanthi, Jain temples are decorated with flags. In the morning the idol of Mahavira is given a ceremonial bath called the ‘abhishek’. Bhagwan Mahavira is an ideal in Jainism who taught the world the essence of life. He taught all of us the right way of living the life.The day of his birth is celebrated in a massive procession around the cities. The jains make offerings of milk, rice, fruit, incense, lamps and water to the poor people that day. All sections of the community participate in a grand procession. Lectures are held to preach the path of virtue. People meditate and offer prayers. Donations are collected to save the cows from slaughter and to help poor people by providing them food. Pilgrims from all parts of the country visit the ancient Jain Temples at pawapuri, Kundalpur and Parsvanath on this day. Also Write some sms Messages or wishes below to all tour friends and relatives.

Mahavir Jayanti 2010 SMS

“I always ask Lord Mahavir to give you what you DESERVE,
Not what you DESIRE…!!
It is because your Desires may be few…!
But you Deserve a LOT…!
Happy Mahavir Jayanti!”

“May the teachings of Lord Mahavir inspire you… Happy Mahavir Jayanti!”

“May the holy words show you… the path to never ending happiness… Sending you warm wishes… Happy Mahavir Jayanti!”

“Little keys can open big locks.
Simple words can express great thoughts.
I hope my simple pray can make your life great”

Tags: Mahavir Jayanti 2010

Michchhami Dukkadam send sms, Samvatsari of Paryushan greetings | Festival Meaning

editor — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:56:31 +0000

Michchhami Dukkadami means, “to be fruitless (forgiven)” and Dukkadam (Dushkrut) means “ bad deeds”.

Michhami Dukkadam is the words which are used for their expression about Forgiveness .Paryushan is biggest events for every Followers of Jain.

Paryushana (Paryusan) means staying of the monks in one place for the rainy season.In popular terminology this stay is termed “chaturmaasa” because the rainy season is regarded to be about four months. However the minumum duration of Paryushanaa is regarded to be 70 days. For this minimum duration, Paryushanaa must be initiated by panchami (fifth day) of the shukla phase of the Bhadrapada month. In the scriptures it is described that Lord Mahavira used to start Paryushanaa on Bhadrapada Shukla panchami.

Samvatsari is described as the the last day of Paryusana

Jains celebrate the birth of the 24th tirthankara Mahavir, during Paryushan, an eight-day festival in the month of August. This is celebrated with fastening, various “Vrat” and “Taap”. There is a equal science behind such devotional belief. Our appetite and digestive power are weakest during the monsoon. It is necessary to take light foods to improve digestion and performance of the body, so Jains have largely accepted the custom of sending samvatsari (Michhami Dukkadam) cards to family and friends to ask for forgiveness in recent years. We have also Michhami Dukkadam SMS & grettings for you, so send your near and dear ones!!

What does “Michchhami Dukkadam” mean?

Michchhami means, “to be fruitless (forgiven)” and Dukkadam (Dushkrut) means “ bad deeds”.

Therefore the meaning of Michchhami Dukkadam is:

“My bad deeds (with you) be fruitless”.

So concept behind saying or writing someone “Michchhami Dukkadam” is that

If I have done any harm to you then those bad deeds to be forgiven (to be fruitless).

Those who did traditional Samvatsari (yearly) Pratikraman would remember saying ” Tassa Michchhami Dukkadam ” at the end of many of sutras.

There it meant that if I have committed any violations or transgressions related to those minor vows or so then those violations be forgiven (be fruitless).

The following is the prayer we say while doing Pratikraman:

KHAMEMI SAVVE JIVE,

SAVVE JIVA KHAMANTU ME

METTI ME SAVVE BHUYESU,

VERAM MAJAHAM N KENAI

What do we mean when we “ Michchhami Dukkadam”?

“I forgive (from the bottom of my heart without any reservation) all living beings (who may have caused me any pain and suffering either in this life or previous lives), and I beg (again from the bottom of my heart without any reservation) for the forgiveness from all living beings (no matter how small or big to whom I may have caused pain and suffering in this life or previous lives, knowingly or unknowingly, mentally, verbally or physically, or if I have asked or encouraged someone else to carry out such activities). (Let all creatures know that) I have a friendship with everybody and I have no revenge (animosity or enmity) toward anybody.”

Why do we say “Michchhami Dukkadam”?

If we reflect back on ourselves we would realize that our mind and are continuously busy either thinking on something which may be near to us or could even be as far away as the other end of the world, talking or doing physical activities. This thinking, our words or our physical activities would be reflection of our happiness, sorrow, anger, greed, jealousy, and egoism, etc. And, depending upon how we react to those, we attract various types of new karmas to our souls. No prudent person would like to attract bad karma and at certain stages any karma at all. It is not as easy as turning off a light switch but we have a choice to minimize our damage so that things would be more conducive for our social and spiritual uplift which should ultimately lead to salvation or liberation from this worldly life of any kind.

Buzzword is “minimizing the damage to our soul”. Jinas had explained that along with other karmas we should be careful that the bondage of Mohniya karma. Among all the subtypes of Mohniya karma we should be very still more careful about bondage of Anantanubadhi kashay Mohniya karmas (this does not means that other subtypes are acceptable.).

Anantanubadhi kashay Mohniya karmas are accumulated not only when our passions (anger, ego, deceit, and greed) are sever while carrying out our actions but also if we do not repent for our actions within one year of accumulating them. This Anantanubadhi kashay Mohniya karmas obstructs right conduct (and indirectly right belief) which are necessary ingredients to start the beginning of spiritual uplift which would ultimately lead to liberation. As a human we are able to recognize this fact better than other living beings and therefore we shall take advantage of knowing this secret to put us to advantageous level. So by truly repenting and asking for forgiveness (“Michchhami Dukkadam”) we avoid accumulating this Anantanubadhi kashay Mohniya karmas.

Earlier discussion explained how “Michchhami Dukkadam” can affect the type of nature of karmas, but there is also another reason to say “Michchhami Dukkadam”. The physical bondage of karmas can be loose ( sithil ), tight ( gadha ), tighter ( nidhatta ), and tightest ( nikachit ).

The loose, tight bondage can easily be shed off by repenting and apologizing for our deeds, which caused them. The moderate bondage can be shed off by austerity while sever bondage can be only shed off by suffering the results of those karmas. Now going back to think what happens before we say “Michchhami Dukkadam”, first we have to realize that we have or might have done some harms to others and secondly we regret or feel sorry for doing so and thirdly we want to apologize for the same. So these repenting and expressing apology by saying “Michchhami Dukkadam” we are doing introspection of our actions and saying to ourselves that I was wrong or my actions were wrong and rather than making it a prestige issue, we are letting our ego go and we are saying I made a mistake and thus our passions become less and that helps us to get rid off the bondage of some of our loose or tight karmas ahead of time.

What goes along with friendship?

When we let go our ego and ask for forgiveness we are also sending signal that I am changing and I want to be friend of everybody. That brings to some contemplation about friendship and they are:

1) Maitri Bhavana (Thinking of being a Friend)

2) Pramod Bhavana (Thinking of Appreciation)

3) Karuna Bhavana (Thinking of Compassion)

4) Madhyastha Bhavana (Think to staying neutral or uninvolved)

Let us understand how these bhavanas play important roles in our lives, how they can keep us away from bad karmas, and ultimately how they can improve our overall chances to uplift our souls.

1. Maitri Bhavana (Thinking of a Friendship)

Jinas had taught us, “We must be a friend to all living beings.” The feeling of friendship brings love and respect for others. It, also, initiates a feeling of brotherhood among all and in turn leaves no room for harm, deceit or quarrelsomeness with anybody. If we contemplate on Maitri Bhavana our thoughts, words, and actions will not be harsh, and we will not hurt anybody. On the contrary, we will support and protect everybody. Friendship will lead us to be tolerant, forgiving, and caring for one another. Therefore by developing a friendship with all living beings, we will avoid bad karma.

2. Pramod Bhavana (Thinking of Appreciation)

In this bhavana, we admire the success of our friends, spiritual leaders and Arihants. One of the most destructive forces in our lives is jealousy. However, friendship combined by admiration, leaves no place (destroys) jealousy. As jealousy subsides or is gone, negative impulses are turned into positive ones, and in time, you will be at peace.

3. Karuna Bhavana (Thinking of Compassion)

Instead of succeeding, many of our friends may be getting into trouble for things they should not be doing, and even those who are successful may be accumulating vices such as greed and ego. If such is the case then, they are not on the right path, and may be they are weak, helpless, and in distress. At a time like this, you should contemplate on the Karuna Bhavana and show compassion towards them instead of being disgusted towards them or hating them. Show them a right path with patience, tolerance, and forgiveness and offer them the needed support. In this way, not only will you be avoiding bad karma, but also will your friends.

4. Madhyastha Bhavana (Think of staying neutral or uninvolved)

Life appears to be nothing but involvement. Sometimes life works out favourable and sometimes it does not. So when after a few attempts the things do not workout or people around us do not change, then instead of getting disappointed, angry, or more involved, we should contemplate on Madhyastha Bhavana. This contemplation leads to the feeling that if someone does not want to understand then leave him/her alone without getting further involved. You will still hope that one of these days he/she may understand and change. By observing Madhyastha Bhavana, you will remain in equanimity, instead of provoking turmoil in your mind. When your mind stays neutral and uninvolved it keeps karma away.

In short, you can avoid influx of bad karma and stay in peace while living in worldly life by developing a friendship towards all living beings, admiring their success, holding their hands when they are in distress, and leaving them alone at times when they do not want to understand what is right or wrong.

So, until it becomes the natural way of life to observe the above bhavanas, one should contemplate on:

“KHAMEMI SAVVE JIVE,

SAVVE JIVA KHAMANTU ME

METTI ME SAVVE BHUYESU,

VERAM MAJAHAM N KENAI”

as many times as needed.

If there is a goal, then there will be an achievement.

Michchhami means to be fruitless (forgiven) and Dukkadam (Dushkrut)

means bad deeds.

Tags: Michchhami Dukkadam

Jain Holidays list in 2009

editor — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:09:12 +0000

Jain Holidays or festivals during 2009, Jains celebrate their religious holidays by fasting, worshipping, recitation of sacred texts, holding religious discourses, alms giving, taking certain vows and other such acts of piety. Annual holidays are observed based on the lunar calendar. The two are most important religious holidays are:

Mahavir Jayanti : The birthday of Lord Mahavir, the last Tirthankar (April).

Paryushan (Swetambar) and Das Lakshan (Digambar): eight or ten days in a year are marked by prayers, meditation, fasting, penance, introspection, confession, and forgiveness (August or September).

Jainism was founded by Mahavira Vardhamana Jnatrputra in 6th Century BCE India. Jainism is an ascetic religion in which the primary mandate is ahimsa (harmlessness) and the goal is to free the soul from the material existence accumulated from karma. The holy scripture of the Jainas include the Angas (Sermons and Dialogues of Mahavira) and the Digambara Texts. There are two monastic denominations of Jainas: the Svetambara and the Digambara. The former includes orders of women and recognizes spiritual equality; the latter eschew orders of women and clothing. Lay Jainas venerate the Tirthankaras (24 great Jain teachers) at Jain temples. Jain festivals and the Jain calendar (Vir Samvat) are based on the Indian lunisolar calendar (Bikrami calendar or Vikram Samvat). Some Jainas outside of India date the Jain holidays based on the Moon in India, while others date the Jain holidays based on the Moon at their respective locations. Consequently, some Jainas in the United States and Canada may celebrate some of these holidays 1 day before the Indian celebration.]

[Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Sahib early in 16th Century India. He was succeeded by 9 other gurus. The holy scripture of the Sikhs is the Granth Sahib (Adi Granth). Sikhism is a blending of Bhakti (devotional) Hinduism and Muslim Sufism. Sikhs are monotheistic, do not use images in worship, and reject the caste system. Sikhs are exhorted to praise, charity, ablution, service, and prayer. Sikhs recite prayers 5 times daily and worship in a gurdwara. Sikhs celebrate some Hindu festivals as well as the birthdays and/or death days of the 10 gurus. There are different denominations of Sikhs. Some Sikhs are initiates in the Khalsa, a military order founded by Gobind Singh in 1699. Most Sikh holidays are dated on the fixed Nanakshahi calendar (Sikh calendar).]

[Taoism (Daoism) was founded in 3rd Century BCE China by Lao-Tzu. Taoism is a philosophical and spiritual system grounded in Nature and its rhythms. Taoist holy scripture is called the Tao Tsang. It includes the Tao-Te Ching and over a thousand other writings. Taoist holidays and the Taoist calendar are based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Chinese religion is a fusion of Taoism and Confucianism, and most Chinese also practice Chinese Mahayana Buddhism.]

[Confucianism was founded in 6th Century BCE China by Confucius (K'ung Fu-Tzu). Confucianism is a philosophical system focused on ethics and social structure.]

[Shinto (Shintoism) originated in Japan. Shinto is grounded in Nature and its rhythms. Shinto practitioners make daily offerings and prayers at home shrines and attend regional or national Shinto Shrines on annual festival days. Though Shinto holidays were previously based on a lunar calendar, the Shinto calendar is now based on the Gregorian calendar, which has been adopted in Japan. Most Japanese practice both Shinto and a form of Mahayana or Tantric Buddhism.

Jains celebrate their religious holidays by fasting, worshipping, recitation of sacred texts, holding religious discourses, alms giving, taking certain vows and other such acts of piety. Annual holidays are observed based on the lunar calendar. The two are most important religious holidays are:

Mahavir Jayanti : the birthday of Lord Mahavir, the last Tirthankar (April).

Paryushan (Swetambar) and Das Lakshan (Digambar): eight or ten days in a year are marked by prayers, meditation, fasting, penance, introspection, confession, and forgiveness (August or September).

Tags: Digambar, Jain Holidays, Mahavir Jayanti, Swetambar