The present study "Jaina Worship and Rituals" traces the Jaina way of worship, observance of specific rituals and fasts, besides celebration of fairs, festivals and festive occasions since ancient days. Jains only worship five worshipful ones, alongwith some godlings-specifically Yaksha and Yakshis who are 48 attending guards of the 24 Tirthankaras. Through worship, observance and participating in institutionalized festive occasions, the majority of ordinary laymen and women, youth and children satisfy their religious hunger, gratify religious sentiments, give vent to their religious zeal and identify their moral requirements. Jainism does not believe in any supreme being, supernatural powers, incarnation, Gods and Goddesses. But it looks strange and paradoxial that many of them have faith in the worship of paradisical figures similar to Hinduism. Jains perform worship of chosen deities before their images. There are no signs of infidelity. In Jainism, the principal objects of worship are the five worshipful ones (Panch-Parameshthins)-the Arhats, the Siddhas, the Acaryas, the Upadhyayas and the Sadhus.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR K.L. Chanchreek
K.L. Chanchreek is a great scholar and Indologist, academician and cultural activist, linquist and folklorist, poet and litteratueur, biographer and bibliographer. Born in delhi (1933) and educated at Agra, Delhi and Punjab Universities (1952-1957), he served in various capacities under the Government of India as Research Assistant, Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology and later Member, Experts Advisory Committee, Chief Librarian, M/o Commerce and Industry, General Manager, Modern Food Industries (A govt. of India Undertaking) Chief Editor, Collected Works of Dr. Ambedkar (Dr. Ambedkar Foundatioin, Govt. of India), and Academic Adviser, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar School of Social Sciences, Bundelkhand University. He has edited several literary and social journals. He has also written an compited books and research publications on a wide range of subjects like Jainology, Buddism, literature, library and information science folklore, Dalit movement, international nad current affairs as well as on national leaders. He has nearly four dozen titles to his credit both in Hindi and English brought out by the leading publishers and Government departments.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mahesh Jain
Born in Rohtak (1950) and educated at Agra and Meerut University, Dr. Jain has written and complited several works on various disciplines e.g. Jainism, Management, Research methodology, Modern Indian history and literatuare both in Hindi and English, as co-author. He has expertise on print media and associated with several cultural, literary and social organizations.
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