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Mahavir Jayanti

It is celebrated on the 13th day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra (March/April). It marks the birth if Vardhaman Mahavir, the 24th and the last Tirthankar of Jains. According to Jain Philosophy all Tirthankaras were born as humans but they had attained a state of perfection or enlightenment through meditation and self realization. They are the Gods of Jain religion. Tirthankars are also known as Arihants or Jinas.

Mahavira was born in the royal family of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. After his conception, the wealth, prosperity and influence of the family increased. So his parents named him Vardhaman, the increaser of Prosperity. Later, his followers named him Mahavira, the great hero. The two sects of Jains, Digambaras (sky clad) and Shvetambaras (white clad) are divided on the year of Lord’s Birth. The Digambar sect believes that he was born in 15 B.C. whereas according to the Shvetambaras believe he was born in 599 B.C. Also the Digambaras believe that the mother had 16 auspicious dreams before the child was born whereas Shvetambaras believe that only 14 dreams were seen. But both the sects agree that he was the son of Siddhartha and Trisala and was born at Vaishali (Bihar).

At the age of thirty, Mahavira renounced the world, adopted the lifestyle in harmony with nature and remained engaged in meditation. He spent the next twelve years in deep silence and meditation to conquer his desires, feelings and attachments. He also went without food for long period of time. During this period, his spiritual powers fully developed and at the age of 42 he realized perfect perception, perfect knowledge, perfect power and total bliss. His realization is known as Keval-jnan or the perfect enlightenment.

Lord Mahavira’s birth anniversary is celebrated throughout the country but it is celebrated more enthusiastically in Rajasthan and Gujarat where the Jains are relatively in larger number. Jain Pilgrims congregate at the ancient Jain Shrines at Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat and at Mahavirji in Rajasthan. At Vaishali, his birth place, a grand festival known as Vaishali Mahotsava is held.

The idol of Mahavira is given a ceremonial bath called the Abhishek and carried in a procession accompanied by Bhajan singers and tableaux depicting scenes from the life of Mahavira. Fasts are observed by devotees and Jain scriptures are read. Most Jains donate money, clothes and grains to the poor.