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Mahavir Jayanti

  • Puja vidhi
  • 6 Wishes to send
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Mahavir Jayanti

Why it is celebrated

Mahavir Jayanti falls on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi and marks the birth of Bhagwan Mahavir, the twenty-fourth Tirthankar of Jainism. It is one of the most important Jain festivals, kept by all Jain traditions together. The day is a reminder of his message of non-violence, truth and compassion.

The story

About two and a half thousand years ago, King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala lived in Kundagram, near Vaishali in today's Bihar. Jain tradition says that before her son was born, the queen saw a series of auspicious dreams: fourteen in the Shvetambar tradition and sixteen in the Digambar tradition.

The baby was born on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi. After his birth everything in the kingdom seemed to grow, so he was named Vardhaman, 'the one who grows'. He was fearless and calm from childhood, and in time people began to call him Mahavir, 'the great hero'.

At about thirty, Vardhaman left the comforts of the palace. For twelve and a half years he lived in silence, meditation and hard tapasya, and then he attained Keval Gyan, complete knowledge.

For about thirty years after that he walked from village to village, teaching people in their own language: do not hurt any living being, speak the truth, do not steal, live with self-control, and do not hold on to more than you need. At seventy-two he attained nirvana at Pavapuri.

Puja vidhi

  1. Bathe in the morning and remember Bhagwan Mahavir with a calm mind.
  2. Visit a nearby Jain temple for darshan. Today temples hold an abhishek of the Bhagwan's idol and a special puja.
  3. Join the shobha yatra or rath yatra of Bhagwan Mahavir, where bhajans and stavans are sung.
  4. Listen to the talks of monks and nuns, or read Bhagwan Mahavir's teachings at home.
  5. Give daan as you wish: food for someone hungry, grain and water for animals and birds, or help for someone in need.
  6. Take a small sankalp for the day: hurt no one, speak the truth and be content with less.

Food

Simple Jain food without onion or garlic; many families finish their meal before sunset.

Wishes to send

  • Warm wishes on Mahavir Jayanti! May Bhagwan Mahavir's message of non-violence and compassion find a place in every day of ours.

  • Jai Jinendra! On this holy day, may there be peace in your heart and love in your home.

  • Live and let live. On Mahavir Jayanti, may kindness for every living being grow in our hearts.

  • May we be inspired to walk the path of truth, non-violence and self-control. Best wishes on Mahavir Jayanti.

  • Like Bhagwan Mahavir, may we win over anger with forgiveness and pride with humility. Happy Mahavir Jayanti!

  • Ahimsa paramo dharmah: non-violence is the highest dharma. Best wishes to you and your family on Mahavir Jayanti.

For your status

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