About Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (Mahavir Jayanti)
Mahavir Jayanti, also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Jain community. It is celebrated every year on the thirteenth day of the Indian month of Chitra. According to the Jain mythology, Mahavir was born on the 13th day of the bright full moon day on the month of Chitra in Kurdagram of Champaran district in Bihar. Because of the economic growth in the land at the time of his birth, Mahavir was given the name 'Vardhaman,' which signifies "Somebody who flourishes."
History of Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
Lord Mahavir was born in 599 AD to his parents, Siddhartha and Trishala, who belonged to the royal background. They were the king and the queen of the Licchavi clan. According to the various beliefs of Jainism, it is said that when Lord Mahavira was in the womb of Trishala, she had dreamt good dreams, and it was all through this dream that his parents came to know that he would grow up to become a Tirthankara. While he was growing up, he became very interested in knowing the texts and beliefs of Jainism. At a very young age, he was crowned the prince of the royal family. He also started searching for truth and wisdom. With the passing of time, gradually Lord Mahavir started to indulge in helping the people out, teaching them good deeds, forgiveness and compassion.
He inspired many people with his speech and very good messages. In quest of people's truth and wisdom, Lord Mahavir also provided good education to people through his speech and his deeds. He also believed in non-violence and peace. Thus, due to all these, Lord Mahavir came to be considered as one of the major saints in the Jain community and is called Lord Mahavir Swami. Due to his generous acts, in order to commemorate him, Mahavir Jayanti or Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is celebrated with tremendous pomp, delight and excitement.
Significance of Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
A very special festival of Jainism, Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (Mahavir Jayanti), has a very great significance. The Jains celebrate this with love, honour and great pleasure. They also worship their Swamiji, Lord Mahavir, with enough devotion and respect. On this day, the Jains around the world celebrate by engaging in charity activities, conduct public prayers and meditate. Since the teachings of Lord Mahavir helped many people around the world to believe in non-violence and peace, many people followed his path and paid homage to him on this auspicious day. The significance of this day also lies in the fact that his teachings are popular amongst people all over the world. For instance, the fivefold way of life was initiated by Lord Mahavir, which is now followed by people from different faiths. These five folds are:
- Ahimsa (non-violence)
- Aparigraha (non-attachment)
- Asteya (non-stealing)
- Satya (truth)
- Brahmacharya (chastity)
Lord Mahavir always had a special connection with Jainism, and hence his devotees also feel a special connection towards their Swami. Therefore, in order to provide honour to their Lord, Mahavir is given great importance, and on this auspicious day, his idol is adorned with reverence and devotion.
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak 2023 Date
-
When is Mahavir Janma Kalyanak 2023?
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Tuesday, 4 April.
-
Mahavir Jayanti dates for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026
| Year | Weekday | Date | Name | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Sun | 25 Apr | Mahavir Jayanti | Gazetted Holiday |
| 2022 | Thu | 14 Apr | Mahavir Jayanti | Gazetted Holiday |
| 2023 | Tue | 4 Apr | Mahavir Jayanti | Gazetted Holiday |
| 2024 | Sun | 21 Apr | Mahavir Jayanti | Gazetted Holiday |
| 2025 | Thu | 10 Apr | Mahavir Jayanti | Gazetted Holiday |
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak Quotes
I always ask Lord Mahavir to give you what you DESERVE, Not what you DESIRE!! It is because your Desires may be few! But you Deserve a LOT! Happy Mahavir Jayanti!
हर एक जीवित प्राणी के प्रति दया रखो, घृणा से विनाश होता है. Happy Mahavir Jayanti
जिन्होंने पंच इंद्रियों को जीत लिया, जैन धर्म का जिन्होंने प्रसार किया ! 2617 वा है जिनका आज जन्मकल्याणक, अहिंसा परमो धर्म के जो हैं नायक ! जिओ और जीने दो का जिन्होंने दिया नारा, ऐसे वीर, अतिवीर, सन्मति, महावीर को नमन हमारा ! महावीर जन्मकल्याणक महोत्सव की सभी अहिंसा प्रेमियों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं जय महावीर
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak Wishes
Arihant ki boli, Siddhon ka saar, Acharyon ka path, Sadhuon ka sath, Ahinsa ka prachar, Mubarak ho aapko Mahivar Jaynti ka tyohar.
Inse sikho, Seva=Shravan se, Mitrata=krishan se, Maryada=Ram se, Daan=Karn se, Lakshay=Eklavya, Ahinsa=Buddha, Tapasya=Mahavir se, Happy Mahavir Jayanti!
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak Messages
May Lord Mahavir Bless you abundantly And fill your life with The virtue of truth Non violence & External compassion
Little keys can open big locks. Simple words can express great thoughts. I hope my simple pray can make your life great
Special food during Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (Mahavir Jayanti)
Food plays an important role in every religious festival. Hence, Mahavir Jayanti, too, has a special way of preparing delicacies on this particular day. The Jain community prepares food without onion and garlic on this day. This is known as the Satvik diet, which is most common amongst this community. They also maintain this diet in order to keep in mind the idea of consuming food with the least or negligible harm to any living creatures, thereby following the principle of ahimsa. Some common delicacies on this day are sabudana kheer, anaras panna, moong dal khichdi, shrikhand, tamatar kadhai and so on.
Ways of celebrating Mahavir Janma Kalyanak or Mahavir Jayanti
According to the lunar calendar, Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated between March and April. People believe in simplicity and simple observance throughout the day. The day starts with a traditional way of giving a bath to the statues of Lord Mahavira. This ceremonial occasion has a name known as Jala-Abhisheka. Then the statue of Lord Mahavira is transported on a chariot, and a procession is held out in the streets known as rath-yatra. During this religious procession, people chant the name of their Lord and sing out religious verses from their holy scriptures. Rajasthan and Gujarat are the most common cities where Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated with great spirit and enthusiasm. People worship the Lord with flowers and diyas and with peace of mind. There is also a charity tradition followed on this day. The Jains believe in public spirited acts and in helping their fellow beings. These humanitarian activities allow the people to connect with people from other faiths worldwide, thereby paying tribute to Lord Mahavira. The people enthusiastically engage themselves in many other processions held throughout the day with portraits of the Lord on Chariots in different corners of the land. Devotees visit various holy places of Lord Mahavir, and others go to the temples of Mahavir in order to pay homage and honour. Jain philosophy also arranges beneficial lectures held by the community to understand and scrutinise life's basic understandings and concerns and the values of truth (satya). Traditional pujas are performed in temples, and the devotees attend by performing various rituals. Some specific arrangements are also made in order to worship the huge idols of Lord Mahavir with flowers, dhoop, milk, diyas, fruits etc. Many places organise campaigns of delivering free food to the needy on this day. People also donate money, clothes and food to the orphanages, temples and other poverty-stricken families on this day as an act of charity. In order to make people understand the importance of saving the lives of living organisms and providing a ban on the slaughter of animals and birds, various camps are also held on this day. Their main aim is to divide the teachings of Lord Mahavira amongst the common folk. People entangle in groups and go on preaching the values and principles of their Swami. Some places like Patna, Rajasthan and Gujarat organise huge fairs which holds significance on this special day.
Interesting facts about Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
- Lord Mahavir's parents named him Vardhamaan, which literally means one who brings prosperity.
- According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Lord Mahavir attained omniscience on the 10th day of the bright half of the Baisakh month. Therefore this day is also known as Baisakh Sudi Dasam.
- Mahavir Janma Kalyanak or Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated annually on the eighth day of the holy period of Paryusana.
- Lord Mahavir is also known by other names such as Vardhaman, Veer, Ativeer, Sanmati etc.
- It is believed that Mahavira attained nirvana at the age of 72 years.
- He became a Tirthankara of the Jain community after meditating for a long period of twelve years.
- Mahavir Jayanti or Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is set to be held on 14th April, 2022.
