Significance of Mahavir Jayanti

The festival of Mahavir Jayanti carries great significance for the Jain community as it marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira. Mahavira is the founder and last Tirthankar of Jainism. He was born as the prince to King Siddartha and Queen Trisala in Vaishali, Bihar (either in 599 BC or 615 BC), but towards his later years he renounced all his material possessions including his family in pursuit of spiritual freedom or ultimate happiness.

Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated not only in India but also in other parts of the world where there is a presence of the Jain community. On this significant day, devotees or followers of Jainism decorate the Jain temples with colourful flags and other fancy materials in a grand way and carry out peaceful processions to commemorate the birth and teaching of Mahavira. Pilgrims throng the shrines and temples to celebrate this auspicious day. In the morning, devotees offer a ritual bath to the idol of Lord Mahavira called ‘abhishek’ and offer prayers. Sermons are imparted and lectures are held for followers to preach the philosophy of Mahavira. People send Mahavir Jayanti messages and greetings to their friends and relatives to mark the significance of this day. Novel Mahavir Jayanti greetings and Mahavir Jayanti SMS are popular way of sending wishes among people because they are easily available online and reaches it destination within the shortest time. Mahavir Jayanti SMS is very popular among people because it is a cost-effective way of communication and guaranteed message delivery. Jains relive the preaching and philosophy of Lord Mahavira on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. He taught people to renounce the earthly pleasure and search for ultimate happiness or moksha. At the age of 30, Lord Mahavira relinquished material possessions and spent twelve years in rigorous abstinence which earned him the title as Mahavira. According to the Hindu calendar, Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated on the 13th day of the month of Chaitra. Jain religious leaders depict important passage from the life of Lord Mahavira including his teachings of repudiation and austerity.

In India, Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated with great pomp and zing in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan and Delhi as these states comprise a sizeable Jain population. And at the end of the celebration, people meditate and offer silent prayers.