Mahavir Jayanti
The birthday of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, who reformed and gave Jainism its present form.
Mahavir Jayanti falls on the 13th day of the bright half (Shukla Trayodashi) of the month of Chaitra in the Indian lunisolar calendar, usually in March or April.
When Is Mahavir Jayanti?
Mahavir Jayanti falls on the 13th day of the bright half (Shukla Trayodashi) of the month of Chaitra in the Indian lunisolar calendar, usually in March or April.
Because the Gregorian date changes from year to year, check a calendar published by the tradition or your local community for this year's date.
Why It Matters
Mahavir Jayanti celebrates the birth of Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara (spiritual teacher who has attained enlightenment) of the current cosmic cycle. Jain tradition dates his birth to 599 BCE and holds that he attained Moksha (liberation) at age 72; many historians place his life somewhat later. His five great vows, Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha, form the foundation of Jain ethics.
How It Is Observed
Temple prayers and processions with images of Mahavira, abhisheka (ritual bathing of idols), recitation of Jain prayers, charitable activities, fasting, meditation, listening to Mahavira's teachings.
Sacred Text
“My own self is the doer and undoer of misery and happiness; my own self is friend and foe, as I act well or badly.”
, Uttaradhyayana Sutra 20.37 ↗