'Gyana Panchami', the festival of knowledge, is celebrated by:

Gyana Panchami (also called Jnana Panchami or Saubhagya Panchami) is a Jain festival dedicated to knowledge (jnana). It is celebrated on the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright half of the month of Kartika, a few days after Diwali, usually in October-November.

In Jainism, right knowledge (samyak jnana) is one of the "three jewels" (triratna) that lead to liberation (moksha), along with right faith (samyak darshana) and right conduct (samyak charitra). Gyana Panchami honours knowledge as a sacred power that removes ignorance and helps the soul to progress towards liberation. On this day, Jains worship the sacred scriptures (agamas) and other religious books. In temples and libraries (gyan bhandars), the ancient manuscripts are taken out, cleaned, dusted and displayed, protected from insects and damp, and new covers are made for them. Devotees offer prayers, flowers, rice and lamps to the books and pray for knowledge and wisdom. Some devotees fast and meditate on this day. Students and scholars pray for success in their studies. The day reminds Jains of the importance of studying, preserving and spreading knowledge.

The festival also has historical importance. Jain scriptures were passed down orally for many centuries, and many were lost. In the 5th century CE, at the Council of Valabhi in Gujarat, the Shvetambara scriptures were finally written down under the leadership of Devardhi Gani Kshamashramana. Jain gyan bhandars, such as those at Jaisalmer, Patan and Khambhat, preserve some of the oldest manuscripts in India.

Other Jain festivals include Mahavir Jayanti (Chaitra), Paryushana (Bhadrapada), Diwali (Mahavira's nirvana) and Mahamastakabhisheka (every 12 years at Shravanabelagola).

Why not the other options?

• ✗Buddhists celebrate Buddha Purnima and Losar.
• ✗Sikhs celebrate Gurpurab and Baisakhi.
• ✗Parsis celebrate Navroz and Khordad Sal.