Jaintemple.net

Jainism is nature in the purest and truest form. Jainism is as old as nature, which has neither beginning nor any end. The mission of Jainism is the mission of nature, which is to work for the welfare of one and all, to rise from the pitfall of ignorance and inaction to the spiritual climax of infinite bliss and perfect knowledge. i.e. absolute freedom.

The earliest works of art connected with the Jain faith are the group of cave monasteries at Udayagiri and Khandagiri in Orissa. At Udayagiri an inscription of King Kharavela, a follower of Jainism belonging to 150 B.C., has been discovered. Outside some of these caves there are richly carved relief's stylistically resembling the carving of Bharhut and Sanchi. Along with general scenes with warriors, charioteers, men and women, animals and vegetation, there are other recognizable motifs of the enclosed tree or elephants illustrating a goddess which are more obviously connected with Jainism and Buddhism.

Owing to its religious, cultural and regional variations, jains have a number of festivals with an specialty of its own. Most of the festivals are particular events connected with the seasonal changes and garnished with some popular legend. Some festivals welcome the seasons of the year, the harvest, the rains.