Hyderabad: Three lakh plus Jains in the city and 60 lakh across the country will observe Maha Paryushana Parv (The World Forgiveness Day) from August 19 to 26 and celebrate the same for eight days.
According to Praveen Rishi Upadhyaya, Jain Monk and the initiator of several unique initiatives, Maha Paryushana Parv is termed as the most religious festival in the Jain community, during the eight days, the entire community strives towards self-purification through fasting and sacrifice.
They shun eating fresh and leafy vegetables to avoid killing micro-organisms. They will stop eating food in the night, use only boiled water, do prayer-Pratikaman in the morning and evening.
They will stop using mobile phone for 8 days. They will walk bare foot during those eight days and also avoid using vehicles.
They will shun lavish lifestyle, stay away from extravaganza. They will practice simple living and practice brahmacharya informed Sampath Raj Kothari, Chairman of Sri Vardhaman Sthanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh, Secunderabad.
The festival will be formally kicked off in a function to be held in the city on 19th at T-19 Tower, Besides Sundaram Motors, Ranigunj, Secunderabad. It will also be kicked off across hundreds of towns and cities in India and abroad, informed Parasmal Dungarwal, President of Sri Vardhaman Sthanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh, Secunderabad.
The Maha Paryushana Parv will be organized under the aegis of Sri Vardhaman Sthanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh, Secunderabad.
“During the festival, we undertake activities like fasting, giving up eating fresh vegetables, eating during the day and much more. All such activities help us emulate some real virtues in our lives in some way or the other,” commented Praveen Rishiji.
“Also, the main motto of Jainism is to Live and Let Live. At the end of the festival, we acknowledge the mistakes we have made in the year, ask for forgiveness and stand corrected.
On the last day of the Festival i.e., on 26th August, nearly 99 per cent of Jains will go on fasting with exceptions to some on health grounds,” informed Ashok Shermal Jain, Working President of Sri Vardhaman Sthanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh, Secunderabad. (INN)