Chandigarh, April 9: Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most important religious festivals for Jains in India and across the world. It marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism, and is celebrated with great devotion, reflection, and reverence. In 2025, Mahavir Jayanti will be observed on Sunday, April 13.
Lord Mahavir was born in 599 BCE in Kundagrama, present-day Bihar, into a royal family of the Ikshvaku dynasty. Though born as a prince, he renounced worldly pleasures at the age of 30 and embarked on a journey of intense meditation and asceticism. After 12 years of deep spiritual practice, he attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) and spent the remainder of his life preaching the path of truth, non-violence, and self-discipline.
Mahavir’s teachings laid the foundation of Jain philosophy, though he did not found the religion. Jainism was already in existence, but Mahavir is credited with reorganizing and revitalizing its core principles, making them more accessible and systematic.
Mahavir Jayanti is more than a religious celebration—it is a reaffirmation of a way of life rooted in peace, discipline, and inner awakening.
At the heart of Mahavir’s teachings lies the principle of Ahimsa (non-violence), not only in action but also in speech and thought. He preached Satya (truth),
Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy or chastity), and Aparigraha (non-possession or detachment).
Mahavir stressed that liberation (moksha) could only be attained through self-realization, ethical conduct, and strict discipline.
His spiritual philosophy rejects the idea of a creator god and upholds that the soul is capable of achieving liberation through personal effort.
Mahavir Jayanti is a day of great spiritual importance for Jains. It serves as a reminder of Lord Mahavir’s teachings and inspires followers to practice compassion, truthfulness, and restraint in their daily lives.
For many, it is also a day to renew their vows of ethical living and charitable action.
In Jain tradition, the life of a Tirthankara is considered a divine path to liberation, and Mahavir, being the last of them, holds a particularly revered position.
The Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated with processions, prayers, and community service. In India, major celebrations take place in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, where large Jain communities reside.
Temples are decorated with flowers and flags, and images of Lord Mahavir are bathed and placed in ornate chariots during grand processions known as rath yatras.
Devotees chant hymns, read scriptures, and participate in sermons recounting Mahavir’s life and values.
Many Jains engage in acts of charity on this day, including organizing blood donation drives, feeding the poor, and releasing birds or animals as a symbolic act of non-violence.
