Mahavir Jayanti

About

Mahavir Jayanti, also called Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, is one of the most important festivals in the Jain calendar. It marks the birth of Bhagwan Mahavir, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of the present age. It falls on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi, the thirteenth day of the bright half of Chaitra.

A Tirthankara = a "ford-maker", an enlightened teacher who shows the path across the cycle of birth and death. This page is written for Jain families and also for Hindu friends and neighbours who wish to take part respectfully. Jainism is its own independent religion with its own scriptures and teachers.

Because the tithi is lunar, the date changes each year. Check the computed day for your city.

Significance and stories

Mahavir was born to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala in Kshatriyakund (Kundagrama) in ancient Bihar, in the Vaishali region according to many accounts; traditions differ on the exact site. In Jain tradition, his birth was preceded by auspicious dreams of his mother. His childhood name was Vardhaman.

He renounced royal life at about thirty to seek liberation, practised intense austerities for over twelve years, and attained Kevala Jnana (perfect knowledge). He then taught for about thirty years. His central teachings are the five vows: ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity or restraint) and aparigraha (non-possession). He also taught anekantavada, the idea that truth has many sides and that we should listen to other views.

Swetambar and Digambar traditions differ in some details. Swetambars describe fourteen auspicious dreams of the mother, while Digambars describe sixteen. Swetambar accounts also say Mahavir was married, which Digambars do not accept. Both traditions honour the same day and the same core teachings.

How to observe (puja vidhi)

Practice varies by sect and community. This is a general outline.

1. Rise early, bathe and wear clean clothes. Many visit the temple (derasar or mandir) for darshan.
2. Perform abhishek of Mahavir's idol (Janma Kalyanak Abhishek) with water, and in some traditions with milk and other offerings, while singing hymns. Practices vary; follow your temple.
3. In Swetambar murtipujak practice, offer ashta-prakari puja (eightfold worship) or a simplified form (Digambar temples have their own ashtadravya puja), using rice, fruit, sweets, flowers (in traditions that offer them), incense and a lamp.
4. Recite the Navkar Mantra: "णमो अरिहंताणं" (Namo Arihantanam) and the rest of the five-line mantra. Ask a priest or elder to guide pronunciation.
5. Join the rath yatra procession or listen to a discourse (pravachan) on Mahavir's life and teachings.
6. Give charity (daan), feed the poor, support animal shelters (jivdaya), or free animals from cages, in the spirit of compassion.
7. Take up a small vow for the year, for example a day of restraint or non-violent action.

Puja items (samagri)

• Image or idol of Mahavir
• Water and, in some traditions, milk for abhishek
• Rice (akshat), fruit, sweets, incense and a lamp
• Flowers where the tradition offers them (Swetambar Sthanakvasi and Terapanthi Jains do not practise idol worship)
• Navkar Mantra book, or a Jain stotra book
• Items for charity: food, grain, or funds for jivdaya

Fasting and food

Fasting is not compulsory. Some Jains observe a fast, ayambil (a single plain, simply cooked meal without oil, sugar or strong spices), or a vrat on the day, but many eat simple food. Jain food is strictly vegetarian and excludes root vegetables such as potatoes, onions, garlic and carrots, as well as honey, and many avoid eating after sunset.

People with health conditions, pregnant or nursing women, children and the elderly should follow their doctor's advice and may eat normally.

Regional customs

• Gujarat and Rajasthan: Large rath yatras with Mahavir's image, community meals and processions, mainly among Swetambar communities.
• Karnataka and South India (Digambar): Digambar temples hold abhishek, puja and processions.
• Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh: Processions, charity, and discourse.
• Bihar: Special celebrations at Kundalpur, Pawapuri and Vaishali, associated with Mahavir's life.
• Swetambar Sthanakvasi and Terapanthi communities: Observe the day with prayer, scripture reading and sermons rather than idol worship.

Traditions vary; follow your family's custom, temple or muni's guidance.

Celebrating in the USA

Jain centres across the USA hold Mahavir Jayanti programmes with prayer, a children's programme, a lecture and a shared Jain meal, usually on the nearest weekend. Contact your local Jain Sangh or centre for the time.

At home, a few quiet minutes with the Navkar Mantra, a donation to an animal shelter or food bank, and a Jain-friendly meal are meaningful ways to mark the day. If you are not Jain, you are welcome at most open events; dress modestly, follow the centre's rules about food, and avoid leather items inside the temple if asked.