Jain

7 Apr (Tue)	Mahavira Jayanti	This is the most important religious holiday in Jainism, celebrating the birth of Mahavira, the last Tirthankara (or great teacher), the model for Jainas. His birth and the events surrounding it are re-enacted on this day. Jain temples are decorated with flags and an idol of Mahavira is given a ceremonial bath called the 'abhishek', placed in a cradle and carried in a procession around the neighbourhood. The devotees will make offerings of milk, rice, fruit, incense, lamps and water to the tirthankar. If there are monks or nuns present, they will read from the scriptures and teach about the rest of Mahavira's life, following which lay people return home to a celebratory feast. Pilgrims from all parts of the country visit the ancient Jain Temples at Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat on this day.
16 Aug (Sun)	Paryushana begins	Paryushana is the holiest time of the year for Jains, consisting of 8-10 days of meditation, fasting and prayer and ending with a ceremony of atonement meant to prepare the believer for emergence into the world in a state of spiritual and moral refinement. The story of the conception of Lord Mahavira, the man considered to have shaped the Jain religion over 2,600 years ago, is retold, telling how Mahavira’s mother had a series of dreams at the time of his conception, each one prophetic of a quality the future leader would display. Silver figures representing these dreams and symbolic of virtues such as strength, courage and wisdom are paraded through the congregation and up to the altar; the money families bid for the privilege of carrying these symbols is used to support the community.
17 Oct (Sat)	Divali	Jains celebrate Divali on the same day as Hindus and Sikhs. Although there are many similarities between the ways Jains and Hindus celebrate Divali (see Divali under Hindu festivals for details), Jains have a more ascetic approach to the celebration of Divali. The Jains celebrate Divali for three days. During this period, among the Shvetambaras, devoted Jains observe fasting and chant the Uttaradhyayan Sutra. The Jain New Year starts with Pratipada on the day following the first day of Divali.