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RELIGIOUS SECTS
In the South of India, from the account given by Colonel MACKENZIE, it appears that the Jains observe all the Brahmanical Sanskáras, or essential ceremonies. This is not the case in Upper India, and the only rites followed are the Initiation of the infant, twelve days after birth, by repeating a Mantra over it, making a circular mark with the sandal and perfumes on the top of the head; Marriage and Cremation, which are much the same as those of the Brahmans, omitting the Mantras of the Vedas. Sraddhas, obsequial ceremonies at stated periods, are not performed by the Jains in Upper Hindustan.
The festivals of the Jains are peculiar to themselves, and occur especially on days consecrated by the birth or death of some of the principal Tirthankaras, especially the two last, Párśvanáth and Varddhamina. The places where these events occurred are also objects of pilgrimage, and very numerous assemblages of devout pilgrims occur at them at different seasons: thus, in Behár, a very celebrated place of resort is the scene of Párśvanáth's liberation; the mountain Samet Sikhara, or Parasnáth, near Pachete'; and another of equal sanctity, the scene of Varddhamána's departure from earth, is at Pápapuri”, in the
blem, and the Shodaśa Karana Pújá ends with a Lakshmi Stotra, or Hymn, addressed to the Goddess of Prosperity.
Described very fully, as previously noticed, in the Quarterly Magazine for December, 1827.
2 It is also written Apápapuri and Párapuri, under which
