Dewali or Deep‑Malika

Summary

Dewali, or Deep-Malika, marks the last day of the dark half of Kartik, commemorating Lord Mahavira’s attainment of Nirvana. The event is celebrated with illuminations symbolizing enlightenment, as celestial beings and the people of Pawapuri lit up the town. It also signifies the acquisition of Kevala Gnan (perfect wisdom) by Lord Mahavira, celebrated as the worship of Gnan-Lakshmi. The day is observed as the New Year in the Mahavira Era (year 2441). The Rishabh Brahm Charya Ashram held its 3rd Annual Meeting in Hastinapur (October 30–November 1, 1914), addressing educational challenges in the Digambar Jain community, including underfunded schools and the need for better-staffed boarding houses to foster character development. Mr. C.A. Santhanatha Nainar reported the revival of daily worship at a Jain temple in Chingleput District, with a Sannyasi overseeing rituals. The Jaina Gazette was praised by Mr. F.M. Thomas of the India Office Library for its social consciousness. Mr. Chaitan Das established a General Relief Fund for aiding those in distress, aligning with Jain principles of charity. Caste-wise data from the Digambar Jain Directory highlighted the Chaturths (69,000) as the largest group in the Bombay Presidency, followed by Agarwals (67,000) in the United Provinces and Punjab, and Khandewals (64,000) in Rajputana and Malwa.