Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti or Mahaveer Janma Kalyanak marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the founder of Jainism. He was the 24th and the last Tirthankara – a savior and a spiritual teacher in Jainism. A significant day for the Jain community. The date of Mahavir Jayanti changes every year per the Hindu calendar as it is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the month Chaitra. According to the English calendar, it varies between March or April.

How Do Local People in India Celebrate this Holiday

Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most awaited and biggest festivals for Jain communities all around the world. On this day, the idol of Mahavir is taken on a chariot that is taking on procession or Rath yatra. The devotees chant Bhajan in praise of Mahavir Jain's contributions to the community. Devotees also do a lot of charity work to give back to society and help people in need.

Temples of Mahavir are beautifully decorated where people gather to offer prayers. Priest of the temples also gives a lecture to peach the path of virtue that defines Jainism. The principles and values of Jainism are narrated to people as well. Like any other Hindu festival, food plays a major role in Mahavir Jayanti. The Jain follows a Sattvic diet and abstains from eating onions or garlic. Their central idea is to consume fresh meals made from natural products causing minimum harm to the living organisms. Another important factor about Jain strict food diet is to have the last meal of the day before sunsets, this is done to spare animals that come out in the dark, Jains do not even include root vegetables and tubers such as mushrooms and other edible fungi in their diet. They believe that eating anything which can harm any living creature is a sin and will attract bad karma.

Advise from Locals for Visiting India on this Holiday

There are several temples that people recommend to witness Mahavir Jayanti in India.

Some of the famous temples that you can visit

1. Dilwara Temples: located close to Mount Abu in Rajasthan, the ancient Dilwara Temples are perched among the Aravalli mountain range. Known for its marble carvings and architectural magnificence, this set of Jain temples are believed to have been built in the 12th century and was dedicated to a different Tirthankara. The temples are home to images of Jain saints and as many as 360 miniature idols of Jain Tirthankaras.

2. Gomateshwara temple: The Gomateshwara Temple in Shravanabelagola is usually identified by the massive black granite statue of Gomateshwara, the first Tirthankara, which is 18 m tall. This statue is something that also makes this temple a major tourist attraction in Karnataka. During Mahamastakabhisheka, which is celebrated here after every 12 years, pilgrims from all parts flock here in great numbers while the statue is bathed and anointed with milk.

3. Ranakpur Temple Rajasthan: Named after Ranakpur, the town it is situated in, one thing that makes the Ranakpur Temple amazing is the sheer brilliance of its architecture and its carvings. Built over a period covering the 14th and 15th centuries, this temple houses as many 1,444 carved marble pillars.

4. Palitana Temple in Gujrat and Khajuraho temple in Madhya Pradesh are also amazing temples to visit during Mahavir Jayanti.

Visiting any of the other temple gives a magnificent experience of believe and spirituality among Jain communities for Lord Mahavir. You can visit any of the above temple and walk with parade on the streets where people recite prayers to honor Mahavir. People also wash statues of Mahavir as a tradition, you can do the same with water or fragrant oil. Donations is the part of the celebrations, you can be a part of the same by donating food, books, clothes etc for those who are in need.