Mahavir Jayanti: Celebrating the Birth of Mahavira
Mahavir Jayanti is a significant religious holiday in Jainism, celebrated 13 days after the waxing half of the Hindu month of Chaitra. This auspicious day, which usually falls in late March or early April in the Gregorian calendar, honors the birth of Mahavira, the 24th and final Tirthankara (great sage) and the contemporary of Buddha. This year, Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated on April 21.
The Life and Teachings of Mahavira
Jainism is said to have been founded by Lord Mahavir, who was born in the month of Chaitra in the year 599 B.C. in Kshatriyakund, Bihar. Born to King Siddartha and Queen Trisala, Mahavira was named Vardhaman by his parents. Despite being born into a royal family, Mahavira felt a deep calling for inner serenity and spirituality, rejecting the life of royalty and luxury.
In his early years, Vardhaman developed a profound interest in the essential beliefs of Jainism and started meditating. At the age of 30, he renounced the throne and his family in search of spiritual truth. For over 12 years, he lived as an ascetic, practicing rigorous penance and discipline, with the ultimate goal of attaining ‘kevala jnana’ or omniscience.
Celebrations and Traditions
On Mahavir Jayanti, the idol of Lord Mahavira is placed on a chariot and taken in a grand procession called the ‘Rath Yatra.’ Along the way, devotees sing religious rhymes known as ‘stavans.’ The statues of Mahavira are anointed during a ceremony called the ‘abhisheka.’
The Jain community engages in prayers, charitable acts, and lectures hosted by nuns and monks to promote the virtuous path defined by Jainism. Charitable missions receive donations as part of the celebration, reflecting the Jain principle of compassion and selflessness.
Age-old temples in India witness a large number of visitors who come to pay their respects and partake in the day’s ceremonies. It is a time of spiritual reflection, devotion, and community bonding.
Mahavir Jayanti is not only a religious holiday but also an opportunity for individuals to reflect on the teachings of Mahavira and strive for inner peace and enlightenment. It serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion, non-violence, and the pursuit of spiritual truth in our lives.
Join us in celebrating Mahavir Jayanti this year and embrace the values of Jainism as we honor the birth of Mahavira, a great sage whose teachings continue to inspire millions around the world.
