Mahavir Jayanti is a major festival in Jainism, celebrating the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last Tirthankara. The festival is observed with reverence to honour his teachings and pay him respect. The day is marked as a public holiday in many parts of India.
As per the Hindu lunar calendar, Mahavir Jayanti, also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, is observed on the 13th day of the Chaitra month. It usually corresponds to the period between March and April of the Gregorian calendar.
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This year, the Trayodashi Tithi starts on April 9 at 10:55 p.m. and ends on April 11 at 1:00 a.m., according to Drik Panchang.
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The upcoming occasion will mark the 2,623rd birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir.
Mahavir Jayanti 2025: History
Lord Mahavir was born as Vardhamana in 599 BC (as per some texts) in a royal family to Queen Trishala and King Siddhartha at Kundagram, present-day Bihar, India. He was a prince of the Ikshvaku dynasty, and his birth was associated with spiritual signs, indicating his importance as a spiritual leader.
The name Mahavir translates to "the great hero". At 30, he renounced his royal lineage and worldly comforts to seek spiritual enlightenment. After 12 years of meditation and spiritual practice, he attained Kevala Jnana, the highest form of knowledge, according to Jain beliefs.
Mahavir Jayanti 2025: Significance
As a spiritual leader, Lord Mahavir propagated the principles of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possession). These principles are at the heart of Jainism.
On Mahavir Jayanti, devotees remember the teachings, messages, and practices of Lord Mahavir and seek his blessings. Rituals, prayers, and meditation are done to pay homage to the wisdom of Lord Mahavir. The festival serves as a reminder of the virtues preached and practised by Lord Mahavir.
Mahavir Jayanti 2025: Celebrations
Mahavir Jayanti is a highly important occasion for Jains worldwide. One of the most common practices on this day is taking out a grand Rath Yatra, featuring an idol of Lord Mahavir on a decorated chariot.
Devotees also perform bhajans (devotional songs) that celebrate the teachings of Lord Mahavir. As part of the ceremony, the idol of Lord Mahavir is bathed in a ritual called Abhisheka. This act symbolises spiritual renewal. Many people also engage in service and charity on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.
Prayer gatherings are common across Jain temples on Mahavir Jayanti. Discourses and sermons are arranged to recollect the core principles of Jainism to help devotees follow the path shown by Lord Mahavir.
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