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why is diwali celebrated in Jainism
In Jainism, Diwali is celebrated mainly as:
1. Mahavir Nirvana Divas – Day of Liberation of Bhagwan Mahavira
- Diwali is the day when Bhagwan Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankar, attained Nirvana (moksha) at Pawapuri.
- His worldly life ended, and his soul became completely pure and perfect forever.
- Jains remember his last teachings and try to follow ahimsa (non‑violence), satya (truth), and self‑discipline more seriously.
2. Festival of Inner Light (Jnan Jyoti)
- After Mahavira’s Nirvana, there was deep darkness (amavasya night).
- Kings and people lit lamps to symbolize:
- So Jains light diyas not for material celebration but to remember the light of true knowledge that removes spiritual darkness (ignorance, anger, greed, ego).
3. Connection with Gautam Swami and Jain New Year
- The next day after Diwali is celebrated as the day when Gautam Swami (Mahavira’s chief disciple) attained Keval Jnan (omniscience).
- This next day (Kartik Sud 1) is also taken as the Jain New Year.
- So Diwali is like a spiritual turning point: Mahavira’s Nirvana, and then the beginning of a new spiritual era through his disciple’s enlightenment.
4. How Jains celebrate (in spirit) Jains usually:
- Do prayers and Nirvan Ladoo offering to Bhagwan Mahavira.
- Read or listen to scriptures like Uttaradhyayan Sutra (which contains Mahavira’s last teachings).
- Do fasting, samayik, pratikraman, and charity (daan).
- Light lamps peacefully, avoiding firecrackers to follow ahimsa and protect all living beings.
- Keep the day simple, calm, and spiritual rather than showy.
5. Digambar and Shwetambar
- Both Digambar and Shwetambar Jains celebrate Diwali as Mahavira’s Nirvana Day.
- There may be small differences in exact tithi calculations or how many days they fast, but the main meaning is the same:
You can read a detailed explanation of Diwali according to Jainism here:
