Mahavir Jayanti 2024 Date in India, History, Significance of the Festival

Mahavir Jayanti 2024: Celebrating the Life and Teachings of Lord Mahavir

Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most significant festivals in Jainism, celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism. The festival falls on the 13th day of the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar, which usually falls in March or April. In 2024, Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated on April 21th. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion by Jains all over the world.

Mahavir Jayanti 2024 Date in India: 21st April, Sunday

Mahavir Jayanti 2024 Overview

Mahavir Jayanti 2024 India Calendar

Celebrate Mahavir Jayanti with this 2024 India Calendar featuring traditional symbols and auspicious dates. Perfect for tracking family and religious events with ease.

Mahavir Jayanti 2024 Timings

On Sunday, April 21, 2024, the world will celebrate the 2622nd Birth Anniversary of Mahavir Swami, who is known as the founder of Jainism. The festivities will take place on Trayodashi Tithi, which begins at 10:41 PM on April 20, 2024. The celebrations will continue until the end of Trayodashi Tithi, which will be at 01:11 AM on April 22, 2024. It is a significant day for millions of Jains worldwide, who gather to commemorate the life and teachings of Mahavir Swami. The day is filled with prayers, offerings, and rituals that have been passed down for generations.

When is Mahavir Jayanti in India?

The Life of Lord Mahavir

Lord Mahavir was born in 599 BCE in Kundagrama, Bihar, India. He was born into a royal family and was named Vardhamana. At the age of 30, he renounced his luxurious life and became an ascetic, wandering around in search of spiritual enlightenment. After 12 years of rigorous penance and meditation, he attained enlightenment and became a Tirthankara, a spiritual teacher who shows the path to salvation.

Lord Mahavir’s teachings were based on the principles of non-violence, truthfulness, non-attachment, and compassion. He believed that every living being has a soul and that all souls are equal. He preached that one should follow the path of Ahimsa or non-violence towards all living beings, including animals and plants. He also emphasized the importance of self-control and detachment from material possessions.

Significance of Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated to honor the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir and to remember his teachings. On this day, Jains visit temples and offer prayers to Lord Mahavir. They also participate in processions and cultural programs organized by Jain communities. The festival is an occasion for Jains to reflect on Lord Mahavir’s teachings and to renew their commitment to follow his path.

The celebration of Mahavir Jayanti is not limited to Jains alone. People from all walks of life participate in the festival, which promotes unity, peace, and harmony. The festival is a reminder of the importance of non-violence, compassion, and respect for all living beings.

Rituals and Traditions of Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm by Jains all over the world. The festival begins with a procession of Lord Mahavir’s idol, which is carried out in a decorated chariot. The idol is then placed on a beautifully decorated platform in the temple, where devotees offer flowers, fruits, and sweets.

Jains observe a day-long fast on Mahavir Jayanti, which is broken only after performing puja and offering food to the poor and needy. The day is also marked by recitation of Jain scriptures and hymns, which are believed to bring peace and prosperity.

On this day, Jains also perform charitable acts, such as donating food, clothes, and money to the poor and needy. This is considered to be a way of following Lord Mahavir’s teachings of compassion and non-attachment.

Global Celebration of Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated not only in India but also in other parts of the world where Jains reside. In countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, Jains organize cultural programs and processions to mark the occasion.

In recent years, Mahavir Jayanti has gained global recognition as a festival that promotes peace, non-violence, and harmony. The United Nations has declared Mahavir Jayanti as “International Day of Non-Violence” to honor Lord Mahavir’s teachings of non-violence and to promote world peace.