What it celebrates
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, widely known as Mahavir Jayanti, celebrates the birth of Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th and last tirthankara of the present cycle in Jain belief. Born as Vardhaman to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala in the region of Vaishali, in present-day Bihar, he renounced worldly life, attained kevala jnana (omniscience) after years of austerity, and taught the path of ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity) and aparigraha (non-possessiveness).
Kalyanak means an auspicious event. Each tirthankara’s life has five kalyanaks: conception, birth, renunciation, omniscience and liberation. The birth kalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavir is the most widely celebrated of all.
How it is observed
- Processions (rath yatra) carrying an image of Bhagwan Mahavir through the streets.
- Abhishek, the ceremonial bathing of the image, in derasars and temples.
- Prayer, scripture reading and sermons on Bhagwan Mahavir’s life and teaching.
- Charity and acts of compassion, including support for animal shelters (panjrapols), hospitals and those in need.
- Re-enactment of the dreams of Queen Trishala before his birth, in some Shwetamber traditions.
It is a gazetted holiday on the central government’s list and in many states.
How the date is set
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak falls on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi, the 13th tithi of the bright half of Chaitra, usually in March or April. As with other Jain observances, the tithi at sunrise generally decides the day, and occasionally traditions differ by a day when the tithi is lost or repeated. See Jain tithi and the sunrise rule.
How OIOA helps
- The Jain Home screen shows the tithi at sunrise for your location, in your sect’s calendar.
- Reminders for the day and for processions in your city.
- Cards to share good wishes, including with friends of other communities.
Wishing someone
“Happy Mahavir Jayanti”, “Mahavir Janma Kalyanak ni shubhechha”, or simply “Jai Jinendra”.