THE FESTIVAL of Deepavali has a very special significance in Jainism since Lord Mahavira, the last of the Jain Tirthankaras, attained salvation or Nirvana on this day at Pavapuri in Bihar in 527 BC on Chaturdashi of Kartika month. Also, the chief disciple of Mahavira, Ganadhara Gautam Swami attained complete knowledge or 'Kevalgyana' on this day.
Deepavali was first mentioned in Jain books as the date of the nirvana of Mahavira. In fact, the oldest reference to Deepavali is a related word 'dipalikaya' mentioned in Harivamsha-Purana written by Acharya Jinasena in the year 705 of Shaka Samvat era.
Jains believe that the gods illuminated Pavanagari by lamps to mark the occasion of nirvana of Mahavira, hence festival of ‘Dipalika’ is observed to worship the Jinendra or Lord Mahavira on the occasion of his nirvana.
Since one of the tenets of Jainism is asceticism, so the celebration of Deepavali is not an exception. The Jains celebrate Deepavali during the month of Kartik for three days. During this period, devoted Jains observe fasting and chant the Uttaradhyayan Sutra, which contain the final preaching of Lord Mahavira and meditate.
Many Jains visit Pavapuri in Bihar on the day of Deepavali. Also, many Jain businessmen traditionally start their accounting or financial year from this day.
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