Celebrating the Birth of the 24th Tirthankara
Mahavir Jayanti is the most important religious festival for Jains, celebrating the birth of Lord Mahavir. He was the 24th and last Tirthankara (a great spiritual teacher) of the current cosmic age, who revived and reorganized the Jain faith. The day is marked by prayer, serenity, and acts of charity.
The festival commemorates the birth of Prince Vardhamana, who later renounced worldly pleasures to become Mahavir, the "Great Hero."
It is celebrated on the 13th day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu month of Chaitra, typically falling in March or April.
The core of the celebration is reflecting on Mahavir's teachings, especially the principle of Ahimsa (non-violence) towards all living beings.
Born as Prince Vardhamana in the 6th century BCE to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala in modern-day Bihar, his life was one of extraordinary renunciation. Despite being born into royalty, he was deeply troubled by the suffering in the world.
From Prince to Ascetic
At the age of 30, Vardhamana left his palace and family, renouncing all worldly possessions to seek spiritual awakening. He spent the next twelve and a half years in intense meditation and severe penance, practicing extreme self-control and non-violence. He endured immense hardship with perfect equanimity. Finally, he attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience), becoming a Jina (a conqueror of inner enemies like attachment and desire) and a Tirthankara. For the next 30 years, he traveled across India, teaching the path to liberation (moksha) before attaining nirvana at the age of 72.
Lord Mahavir's teachings are encapsulated in five core vows that form the foundation of Jain ethics for both ascetics and householders.
Non-violence in thought, word, and deed towards all living beings. This is the highest principle.
Truthfulness; to always speak the truth and avoid falsehood that could cause harm.
Non-stealing; not taking anything that is not willingly given.
Chastity and control over the senses to avoid sensual pleasures.
Non-possession; detaching from people, places, and material things.
Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated not with loud festivities, but with quiet dignity, prayer, and acts of service that reflect the core teachings of Jainism.
Devotees visit Jain temples to meditate and offer prayers to the idols of Lord Mahavir.
A statue of Mahavir is carried on a chariot in a silent or low-chanting procession called a 'Rath Yatra'.
Many Jains spend the day reading and listening to discourses on Jain scriptures that narrate Mahavir's life and teachings.
Following the principle of compassion, donations are made to charitable causes, especially those that support animal welfare.
The food consumed by Jains is strictly vegetarian (often vegan) and sattvic, avoiding root vegetables like onions and garlic to prevent harming microorganisms in the soil. The festival food is simple, yet wholesome.