Customs
of Jainism :
There are two main Customs of Jainism :
Entering into Religion : In Jainism, it is upto an Individual to
take the guided path of a guru. If a Jain is Devout or revers a
particular Guru/ Teacher, he can become a member of the that Guru by
performing the Samana Ceremony which is done especially for this
purpose.
Marriage : Jain Marriages are simple ones - without the pomp and
show. The partners are selected by the parents by means of matching the
horoscope. In the Marriage, the hands of both the partners are tied
together with a string in front of the God Fire. Then some vows are
exchanged in front of a monk and thus the marriage is solmenised.
Places of Pilgrimage
Mount Parsarvnath - Situated in Hazari Bagh District of
Jharkhand, this place has unequalled sanctity. It is the place where 20
of the 24 Thirthanakras left for their heavenly adobe and achieved
Moksha. The mountains here lead to the peaceful Temples which are made
in the memory of these Tirthanakras. The most beautiful of all of them
is in the South East, having five fluted domes and an image in black
Marble of the 23rd Tirthankara - Parsvanath who died in 1765 A.D.
Khajuraho - Situated near Jabalpur District in Madhya Pradesh,
the
Khajuraho
Temples are world famous for their architecture and beauty. The
Khajuraho temples comprise of Adinatha, Santinatha and Parshvanatha
Temples besides the old and modern shrines. These also come under the
UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
Halebid - Sixty four miles away from the Sravana Belgola are
situated the famous Jain Temples of Halebid. The Parashvanatah, the
largest and the most important of the three Tirthankaras was built in
1133 A.D. This Jain Temple has the Statue of Parashvanath containing 14
pillars. Its known for the beautiful architecture it has.
