Question

Arrange the following Jain festivals in their chronological order according to the Jain calendar year (starting from the birth of Mahavira):
A. Deepavali
B. Shrutapanchami
C. Dashalakshana
D. Rakshabandhan
E. Mahavir Jayanti

• A. A, B, C, D, E
• B. A, E, B, D, C
• C. E, B, D, C, A
• D. B, C, D, E, A

Hint:

Associate festivals with months: Mahavir Jayanti (Chaitra), Shrutapanchami (Jyeshtha), Paryushan (Bhadrapada), and Deepavali (Ashvin/Kartika).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Jain festivals are tied to the lunar months of the Indian calendar. The sequence of festivals follows the months from Chaitra to Kartika. Each festival commemorates a historical event or a spiritual practice.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Mahavir Jayanti (E): Occurs on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi. It marks the birth of the 24th Tirthankara. In the annual cycle, this is often the first major festival.
2. Shrutapanchami (B): Occurs on Jyeshtha Shukla Panchami. It celebrates the completion of the first written scripture, the "Shatkhandagama." It is a day of honoring the holy books.
3. Rakshabandhan (D): In Jainism, this falls on Shravana Purnima and commemorates the protection of 700 monks by Vishnu Kumar Muni.
4. Dashalakshana (C): The ten-day festival of virtues (Paryushan) usually falls in the month of Bhadrapada. It is the most important spiritual period for self-purification.
5. Deepavali (A): Occurs on the last day of the month of Ashvin (Amavasya). It marks the Nirvana (liberation) of Lord Mahavira.
The sequence according to the lunar months is Chaitra (E) $\rightarrow$ Jyeshtha (B) $\rightarrow$ Shravana (D) $\rightarrow$ Bhadrapada (C) $\rightarrow$ Ashvin (A).

Step 3: Final Answer:
The chronological sequence of festivals is Mahavir Jayanti, Shrutapanchami, Rakshabandhan, Dashalakshana, and Deepavali.