Hyderabad: Jains Throng Temples for Annual Festival

 Hyderabad: Thousands of Jains visited temples to celebrate one of the important days of Paryushana, the annual festival. The fifth day of the eight-day Paryushana, or Pajjusana, fell on Thursday.

During this holy period, a devotee reaffirms faith in the five main vows which include ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthful), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity) and aparigrah (non-possession). All Jains endeavour to exercise self-discipline and perform penance to purify their souls.

According to Jain monks, there are no set rules for this festival, and the followers are encouraged to practice according to their ability and desires. The festival ends with the celebration of Samvatsari (forgiveness day).

At one of the Jains temples at Charkaman, the devotees performed pooja and listened to religious discourses, while some of them took up fasting for 31 days, surviving only on boiled water during the day.