Mahavir Jayanti 2023: Here's All You Need To Know About The Jain Festival

Mahavir Jayanti 2023: This year the festival will be celebrated on Tuesday (April 4). Read on to know about one of Jainism's most important festivals.

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Jains believe that Jainism is an eternal (sanatan) religion (dharma), with the tirthankaras guiding every cycle of Jain cosmology, and the community celebrates Mahavir Jayanti to commemorate the birth anniversary of Jainism's founder, or Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.

With the motto Parasparopagraho Jvnm (the function of souls is to help one another), Jainism focuses on world peace and harmony, while amkra mantra is one of the most common and basic prayers in Jainism, and Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated as one of the most auspicious festivals of the Jain community to observe peace, harmony, and to spread Mahavira's teachings.

Mahavir Jayanti will be observed this year on Tuesday (April 4).

Mahavir Jayanti: History And Significance

Mahavir was born in Kundalagrama, Bihar, on the 13th day of the Chaitra month, or the 13th day of the waxing moon in the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar. He was the son of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. The Swetambar Jains think he was born in 599 BC, while the Digambar Jains say he was born in 615 BC.

Mahavir renounced his crown and all his earthly belongings when he was 30 years old in search of a spiritual path. He spent 12 years in exile as an ascetic, away from all worldly pleasures, and meditated and led an austere life for roughly 12 years until acquiring 'Kevala Jnana' or omniscience, and was therefore known as Sage Vardhamana. He advocated nonviolence (ahimsa).

Mahavir preached nonviolence, satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity), and aparigraha (non-attachment). Indrabhuti Gautama, Mahavir's main disciple, compiled Mahavir's teachings. He was given his name because of his remarkable mastery over his senses. Seeking truth and spiritual liberation, he gained Nirvana (enlightenment) at the age of 72.

Mahavir Jayanti: Celebrations Across The Country

On Mahavir Jayanti, a procession bearing Mahavir's idol atop a chariot takes place, and people recite devotional songs along the way. On this day, Jains all across the world commemorate by doing charitable work, praying and fasting, visiting Jain temples, leading mass prayers, and meditating.

Among the festivities is the consumption of satvik food, which consists of freshly prepared vegetarian meals free of onion and garlic. Satvik diets exclude these two root vegetables and are prepared with as little injury to living creatures as possible.

During Mahavir Jayanti, religious processions (rath yatra) are held. Flags adorn Jain temples, and donations are made to the destitute and needy. Donations are also offered in order to help save animals from killing.