Mahavir Jayanti
The birthday of Lord Mahavira — the 24th Tirthankara and founder of modern Jainism.
✦ 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. He was born in 599 BCE and attained Moksha (liberation) at age 72. 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
“The soul is the maker and the non-maker. It itself creates both misery and happiness. It alone is its own friend and its own enemy.”
— Uttaradhyayana Sutra ↗