Karnal, October 23: The 2551st Nirvana festival of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, was celebrated with great enthusiasm. Various religious programs were organized at Jain temples and shrines across the city. The main events were held at Jain Sthanak Sector 14 and Digambar Jain Temple. Nirvana Laddus were offered at the Jain temple. A series of religious programs began in the temples from the morning itself. On this occasion, children from Jain schools created beautiful posters on the theme of Diwali, which were later awarded.
Many people, including Biresh Jain, SC Jain, Nirdosh Jain, Ajay Jain, Rakesh Jain, Dinesh Jain, SK Jain, expressed their views at the event. A similar program was held at Jain Sthanak Sector 14. On this occasion, Jain Sadhvi Dr. Sarita Ji Maharaj provided information to the audience regarding Diwali and Lord Mahavira's Nirvana. She said that followers of Jainism celebrate the Nirvana festival as Diwali, because it was on this day that Lord Mahavira attained salvation.
Sadhvi Ji explained that upon Lord Mahavira's attainment of salvation, the gods and Gandharvas celebrated Diwali by lighting lamps in the sky. Since then, Diwali is celebrated every year as Lord Mahavira's Nirvana Day. She explained that the Veer Samvat begins on this day. This year marks the 2051st Veer Samvat, considered the oldest calendar in Jainism. The new year begins with Diwali, and on this day, businessmen exchange their accounts.
Sadhvi Dr. Sarita Ji said that Lord Mahavira preached five great vows, which Mahatma Gandhi later adopted in his life and recognized as the "Panchsheel Principles." She said that if the world follows the path shown by Lord Mahavira, peace and brotherhood are possible. It was on Diwali that Gautam Swami, the first Ganadhar of Lord Mahavira, attained Kevaljnana.
Sadhvi ji also mentioned that Albert Einstein was also influenced by Jain philosophy. Jainism provides a precise definition of science, describing scientific and philosophical principles such as the theory of relativity, the concept of atoms and molecules, conservation of energy, birth and rebirth, the soul and the Supreme Being, moving and immovable organisms, and microorganisms.