| Mahavir Janma Kalyanak | |
|---|---|
 Vardhaman Mahavira image at Keelakuyilkudi,Madurai,Tamil Nadu, India | |
| Official name | Mahavir Janma Kalyanak |
| Observed by | Jains |
| Type | Religious,India (national holiday) |
| Significance | Birth Anniversary ofMahavira |
| Celebrations | Going to theJain Temple |
| Observances | Prayers,religious rituals |
| Date | Chaitra Shudda Triyodashi (teras) (Vira Nirvana Samvat) |
| 2025 date | 10 April[1] |
| 2026 date | 31 March[2] |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Part ofa series on |
| Jainism |
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Ethics Ethics of Jainism
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Mahavira Janma Kalyanaka is one of the most important religious festivals inJainism. It celebrates the birth ofMahavira, the twenty-fourth and lastTīrthaṅkara (supreme preacher) of presentAvasarpiṇī.[a] On theGregorian calendar, the festivity occurs either in March or April.
According toJain texts, Mahavira was born on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the moon in the month ofChaitra in the year 599 BC (Chaitra Sud 13).[3][4] According to Shvetambara tradition, he was born in Kshatriyakund of Bihar. Some modern historians consider Kundagram (which is today's Kundalpur in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar) as his birthplace. He was born in a democratic kingdom (Ganarajya), Vajji, where the king was chosen by votes.Vaishali was its capital.[5] He was named Vardhamana, meaning "One who grows", because of the increased prosperity in the kingdom at the time of his birth.[6] In Vasokund, Mahavira is revered by the villagers. A place calledAhalya bhumi has not been ploughed for hundreds of years by the family that owns it, as it is considered to be the birthplace of Mahavira.[5]
Mahavira was born intoNāya clan as the son of KingSiddhartha of Kundagrama and QueenTrishala. During her pregnancy, Trishala was believed to have 14auspicious dreams, all signifying the coming of a great soul. Shwetamber Sect of Jainism believes that the mother saw 14 andDigambara sect believes mother saw sixteen dreams which were interpreted by the King Siddhartha.[7] It is said that when Queen Trishala gave birth to Mahavira,Indra, the head of heavenly beings (devas) performed a ritual calledabhisheka on Sumeru Parvat, this being the second of five auspicious events (Panch Kalyanakas), said to occur in the life of allTirthankaras.[8]
The idol of Mahavira is carried out on a chariot, in a procession calledrath yatra.[9] On the way stavans (religious rhymes) are recited.[10] Statues of Mahavira are given a ceremonial anointment called theabhisheka. During the day, most members of theJain community engage in some sort of charitable act, prayers, pujas, andvratas. Many devotees visit temples dedicated to Mahavira to meditate and offer prayers.[11] Lectures by monks and nuns are held in temples to preach the path of virtue as defined byJainism. Donations are collected in order to promote charitable missions like saving cows from slaughter or helping to feed poor people. Ancient Jain temples across India typically see an extremely high volume of practitioners come to pay their respects and join in the celebrations.[12] Ahimsa runs and rallies preaching Mahavira's message ofAhiṃsā (non-violence) are taken out on this day.[13][14][15]
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