The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Jains take out ‘chaumasa' procession

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Monday, Jul 19, 2010
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Jains take out ‘chaumasa' procession

Staff Reporter

Religious fervour:Members of the Jain community taking out a procession on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: The Jain ‘chaumasa' procession, marking the beginning of four-month holy period for the followers of Jainism, was taken out on Sunday by the Jain community in the city.

The procession under the aegis of Greater Hyderabad Sri Vardhman Stanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh started from Tilaknagar railway bridge and culminated at the Kacheguda Jain Bhavan opposite the railway station. En route, it touched Barkatpura, and YMCA crossroads.

Jain monk Guru Gautam Muniji led the procession that had participation from MLA G. Kishan Reddy and corporator D. Ramesh among others.

Austere lifestyle

During the ‘chaumasa', as the four-month period between July and October is known, Jains observe severe austerity in terms of food and other indulgences.

Avoidance of leafy vegetables and cauliflower and night fasting are rules of the holy period.

This is in view of the abundance of insects and other micro organisms during monsoons, organisers informed.

Two Jain monks, stationed at the Jain Bhavan, will observe month-long fast and conduct daily religious congregations and meditation sessions.

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