October 4, 2007
Source: North County Times
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10/05/faith/18_35_5010_4_07.txt
Every year as the rainy season comes to an end in India, Jains stop to celebrate their most important holiday, the Great Festival of Spiritual Awareness, or Payushan. Begun originally by monks who stayed in one place during the four months of the monsoon season, the festival is celebrated by Jains all over the world, who take eight days in September (or August, depending on the lunar calendar) to meditate, fast and pray for forgiveness.