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Mahavir Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of the founder of Jainism or Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and is celebrated by the Jain community to practice peace, harmony and spread the teachings of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. Jainism focuses on world peace and harmony so that there is no or minimal harm to living beings and Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most auspicious festivals for the Jain community.
Jains believe that Jainism is an eternal (Sanatana) religion with Tirthankaras guiding every cycle of Jain cosmology. Saptaropagraho Jeevanam (The function of the souls is to help each other) is the motto of Jainism, while the Shamokar Mantra is the most common and basic prayer in Jainism.
date:
This year Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated on 21 April 2024.
History and Importance:
On the 13th day of Chaitra month or the 13th day of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month of Hindu calendar, Mahavira was born in Kundalgram, Bihar. He was born the son of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. However, his date of birth is sometimes controversial with Shvetambara Jains holding that he was born in 599 BCE, while Digambara Jains believe that he was born in 615 BCE.
When he was 30, Mahavira gave up his crown, giving up all his worldly possessions in search of a spiritual path. He spent 12 years in exile as an ascetic away from all worldly pleasures and meditated and lived an austere life for about 12 years before attaining ‘Keval Jnana’ or omniscience, hence he was also called Rishi Vardhaman and practiced non-violence. Promoted. He got this name for his extraordinary control over his senses. In search of truth and spiritual freedom, he attained enlightenment (Nirvana) at the age of 72.
Mahavira preached non-violence or believed in Aparigraha, Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (chastity) and Aparigraha (non-attachment). Mahavira’s teachings were put together by his chief disciple Indrabhuti Gautama.
Celebration:
On Mahavir Jayanti, a procession takes out with the idol of Mahavir on the chariot and people sing religious songs on the way. On this day, Jain people around the world celebrate by making donations, praying and fasting, visiting Jain temples, holding mass prayers and meditating.
The celebration involves eating sattvic food, which includes freshly prepared vegetarian food without onion or garlic. In a sattvic diet, these two root vegetables are not used and are prepared with minimal harm to living beings.
Religious processions (Rath Yatra) are taken out on Mahavir Jayanti. Jain temples are decorated with flags and offerings are made to the poor and needy. Donations are also made to contribute to saving animals from slaughter.
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