Snatra Mahotsav
The festival of oblation
Snatra Mahotsav is the name given to the ceremony of
performing oblations to the image of the Lord; worshipping the Lord with
various auspicious things, making offerings to the Lord; and worshipping
the Lord with songs. music and dances. It is also called Snatra Puja. The
Snatra Mahotsav is performed generally every day, in most Jain temples.
Showing devotion to the Lord and seeking his blessings
can be done on any auspicious day or happy occasion. This constitutes an
aspect of the very foundation of the Jain dharma.
Atthai Mahotsav
The festival of eight days
This is a festival of eight days and so it is called
Atthai Mahotsav. During these eight days or sometimes five days, many
devotional and religious activities are arranged in the Jain temples. The
activities include such things as cleaning and decorating the temples,
offering prayers to the Paramatma along with songs, music and dances,
chanting of hymns of glorification, recitation of songs for worship
decorating the images and organizing some other religious and auspicious
activities.
Shanti Snatra
Special oblation for universal peace
This activity has been regarded as the most auspicious
and beneficial. This is organized on the last day of any minor or major
ceremony. On this occasion, oblations are performed to the image of the
Lord 27 or 108 times with absolute devotion. Moreover, worship is offered
to the Lord with special and auspicious articles. As a part of this
ceremony, the Mangal Kumbh (The sacred vessel) is installed; the holy
light is installed; worship is offered to the nine grahas; and to other
divinities. This observance seeks the welfare of all beings in the
universe. On this occasion, Sanskrit shlokas are chanted and this great
wish is expressed: "May felicity, bliss. cheerfulness and holiness prevail
everywhere".
Siddha-chakra-Mahapujan
The Grand Worship of Siddhachakra Yantra
The Siddha Chakra Yantra is designed in some pure and
holy place. The yantra is colorfully designed with wheat, green dal, black
gram, Bengal gram and rice. Holy recitation, meditation, worship and
prayer are carried out for the Navpad and also, worship is offered to
other gods, goddesses. powers etc.
The Atharah Abhishek
Eighteen oblations for purity.
This activity is carried out for the sake of the
purification and consecration of any old or new idol. any picture or
engraved marble slab. At such times. to those things 18 oblations
containing different kinds of pure water, herbs and some special
substances, are offered.
This activity is regarded as very auspicious and
beneficial.
The Anjan Shalaka
(Applying holy collyrium to the eyes of a new image)
The name Anjan Shalaka is given to the ceremony of
decorating the eyes of new images of Jins with collyrium made of many
special substances. using in the process a gold-stick.
On this occasion, the following five auspicious events
relating to the Lord are celebrated.
1. Chyavan- incarnation
The incarnation of the Lord in his mother's womb.
2. Janm - birth
The birth of the Lord.
3. Deeksha- Renunciation
The event of the Lord's renunciation of worldly life
and commencement of a life of austerity, discipline and attainments.
4. Kaivalya gnan
The event of attaining absolute enlightenment after
performing austerities and tapasya.
5. Nirvan
Being completely delivered from the body and the
karmas.
Only the event of the Kaivalyagnan is called Anjan
Shalaka and it is arranged to be carried out at an auspicious and sacred
period, at midnight,
The smearing of collyrium to the eyes of the image with
a gold-stick can be done only by the Acharya Bhagavant, in the Jain
command or by the Anuyogacharya, the one next to him.
Prathistha
Installation of the image of the Lord
Pratishtha is the name given to the ceremony of
installing the image of the Lord in a newly built or a renovated Jain
temple. But, of course, it is absolutely essential that Anjan Kriya should
be done to the new image. (smearing of collyrium to the eyes of the
image). This ceremony is carried out along with other celebrations for
some days, The image of the Lord is installed by a noble householder at an
auspicious time on an auspicious day. On this occasion many kinds of
worship are offered to the sacred powers and divine objects along with
singing of hymns and observances. The image installed in the temple is
only a symbol; but actually. it should enable people to install the Lord
in their hearts.
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