Mahavir Jayanti 2023 (2621st Birth Anniversary – 4th April 2023)
Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most important religious festivals in Jainism. On this day, people observe peace and harmony. They also spread the teachings of Lord Mahavir on this day. The festival marks the birthday of Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, who was the founder of Jainism, and the 24th and last Tirthankara. According to the Gregorian calendar, the festival is either celebrated in March or April and according to the Hindu calendar, it falls on the 13th day of the month of Chaitra.
Mahavir Jayanti 2023 marks Mahavir’s 2621th birth anniversary. The occasion will be celebrated across the nation.
| Mahavir Jayanti 2023 Date | 4th April 2023 |
| Mahavir Jayanti Day | Tuesday |
| Also Known as | Mahavir Janma Kalyanak |
| Significance | Lord Mahavir’s birthday |
| Type of holiday | Religious, India (national holiday) |
| Trayodashi Tithi Starts | 06:24 AM on Apr 03, 2023 |
| Trayodashi Tithi Ends | 08:05 AM on Apr 04, 2023 |
When is Mahavir Jayanti in 2023?
In 2023, Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated on the 4th of April, which is a Tuesday. The festival is generally celebrated in the month of March or April. However, it falls on the 13th day of Chaitra as per the Hindu calendar.
How is Mahavir Jayanti Celebrated?
People celebrate Mahavir Jayanti in different ways across the country. But some of the most popular practices are listed below:
1. Visit Jain Temples
On Mahavir Jayanti, people visit different Jain temples spread across the country. In addition to Jain temples, people also visit other historical sites associated with Jainism and Lord Mahavir. Some of the most popular spiritual locations include Gomateshwara, Sonagiri, Ranakpur, Dilwara, and Shikharji.
2. Worship Lord Mahavir
Worshiping Lord Mahavir is also a common practice on Mahavir Jayanti. People worship the statues of Lord Mahavir with flowers and fragrant oils. They thoroughly clean his statues with water and fragrant oils.
3. Processions
Processions are also common on Mahavir Jayanti. Jain monks carry the statue of Lord Mahavira on a chariot. People gather to pray to Lord Mahavira.
4. Charity and Donations
On Mahavir Jayanti, people from the Jain community donate food, clothes, and money to temples.
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Why is Mahavir Jayanti Celebrated?
Mahavir Jayanti is immensely important to Jains. People of the Jain community celebrate this day to celebrate the birth of Mahavir. Jains spend the day reflecting on and spreading the teachings of Lord Mahavir.
People observe peace and harmony on this auspicious day and celebrate it with great joy and enthusiasm.
Where Is Mahavir Jayanti Celebrated in India?
Mahavir Jayanti is an important religious festival for Jains in India. It is celebrated by the Jain community in:
- Rajasthan
- Gujarat
- Karnataka
- Haryana
- Madhya Pradesh
- Vaishali in Bihar
History and Background of Mahavir Jayanti
Mahavir Jayanti is a day spent commemorating the life, values, and teachings of Lord Mahavir. Jains across the world gather together to celebrate the knowledge imparted by Mahavir, who is believed to be born on this day in Kundalagrama of Muzaffarpur districts in Bihar.
For the people of the Jain community, Mahavir Jayanti holds great significance. It is a day spent contemplating, practicing, and spreading the principles popularised by Lord Mahavir. These include nonviolence (Ahimsa), truthfulness (Satya), non-stealing (Asteya), chastity (Brahmacharya), and non-attachment (Aparigraha).
What Is the Significance of Mahavir Janma Kalyanak?
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak marks the birthday of Lord Mahavir, who was born in Kundalagrama in Bihar to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala in 599 BC. However, his birth date is still up for debate among many people. Swetambar Jains believe Lord Mahavir was born in 599 BC, while Digambar Jains believe he was born in 615 BC. According to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, he was born on the 13th day of the month of Chaitra. Thus, this day is celebrated as Mahavir Jayanti across the world.
When he was 30 years old, Lord Mahavir abandoned his worldly possessions and chose the path of spirituality.
Who is Lord Mahavir?
Lord Mahavir who is also known as Vardhamana Mahavira, was an Indian spiritual leader and the founder of Jainism, one of the major religions of India. For 12 years, he lived as an ascetic in exile, abstaining from all worldly pleasures. Through meditation and a very simple lifestyle, he achieved ‘Kevala Jnana’ or complete knowledge. He then began to be known as Sage Vardhamana. He advocated for non-violence and was renowned for the mastery of his senses. His quest for truth and spiritual liberation ultimately led to his enlightenment at 72.
Once he started gaining followers, he organised them into four primary groups which include monks (Sadhu), laymen (Shravak), nuns (Sadhvi), and laywomen (Shravika).
Spiritual Destinations to Visit During Mahavir Jayanti
There are several Jain temples located across the country. However, the ones listed below hold great importance amongst the Jain community. They visit the following spiritual destinations on Mahavir Jayanti.
1. Dilwara Temple, Rajasthan
Located near Mount Abu in Rajasthan, these temples are believed to be built in the 12th century. These temples are dedicated to different Tirthankara and are home to over 360 miniature idols of Tirthankara.
2. Ranakpur Temple, Rajasthan
The temple is believed to be built during the 14th and 15th centuries. The temple is one of the most important spiritual destinations visited on Mahavir Jayanti.
3. Gomateshwara Temple, Karnataka
The temple is located in Shravanabelagola. It is home to an 18m tall statue of Gomateshwara, the first Tirthankara.
4. Khajuraho Temples, Madhya Pradesh
There are several Jain temples in the eastern section of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of them is the Prashvantha temple, which was built during the 10th century.
5. Palitana Temples, Gujarat
The temples are situated in the Shatrunjaya Hills in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat. There are around 3,000 Jain temples in this area.
Final Word
Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most important festivals in Jainism, celebrated to mark the birthday of Lord Mahavir, the founder of Jainism. The festival promotes peace, harmony and the teachings of Lord Mahavir. The festival holds great significance for the people of the Jain community and is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm.
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FAQs
Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most important festivals for the people of the Jain community. On this day, people celebrate the birthday of Lord Mahavir. He was the 24th and last Tirthankara of the current Avasarpiṇī. The festival usually falls in March or April.
Yes. Mahavir Jayanti is a national holiday in India. On this day, local, state, and national level Government workplaces remain closed.
Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated to honour the birthday of Lord Mahavir. It is mainly celebrated in the Jain community. Since Muzaffarpur district in Bihar is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Mahavir, people there celebrate it grandly. It is also celebrated in some parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
On this day, Jains light candles, visit temples to offer their prayers, engage in charity, observe fasts, and meditate. In many places across the world, chariots with Lord Mahavir’s idols are taken out, followed by devotees singing devotional songs and hymns. This special day is usually spent amidst friends and family, reflecting on and cherishing the invaluable teachings of Lord Mahavir.
The Mahavir Nirvana Day is celebrated as the day on which Lord Mahavir attained moksha or deliverance. It is the day on which Mahavir finally left his physical body and transcended to a state of omniscience. On this day, many devout Jains visit a Jain temple to remember the ultimate sacrifice of Lord Mahavir and to offer their prayers. They also recite Shri Mahavir Swami Sarvajnaya Namah and read Jain scriptures.
