Mahavir Jayanti, Indian Jain Festival - Informative & researched article on Mahavir Jayanti, Indian Jain Festival
 Indianetzone: Largest Free Encyclopedia of India with thousand of articlesIndian Festivals


in  
 Art & Culture|Entertainment|Health|Reference|Sports|Society|Travel
Forum  | Free E-magazine  | RSS Feeds  
Indian Festivals : Indian New Year Festivals |Indian Festivals |Indian Temple Festivals |Indian Religious Festivals |Indian National Festivals |Indian Regional Festivals |Indian State Festivals |Indian Fairs or Melas |Indian Hindu Customary Ceremonies |Shivaratri |Indian Customs and Rituals
Home > Art & Culture > Indian Festivals > Indian Religious Festivals > Hindu Festivals > Mahavir Jayanti
Mahavir Jayanti, Indian Jain Festival
Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. In certain places processions are carried out on this day.

 Mahavir Jayanti, Indian Jain FestivalLord Mahavira was also known as Vardhamana and he was born to Siddharth and Priyakarani or popularly Trishala Devi. Siddharth was the king of Kaundinyapura on the outskirts of Vaishali near Patna in Bihar. Both of the parents were deeply permeated with the philosophy of Jainism preached by Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara. Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara.

Mahavira demonstrated absolute fearlessness, which earned him the name `Mahavira`. He grew up as a prince, excelling in physical prowess as well as intellectual acumen. Mahavira left his family at the age of 30; he also gave up all property, wealth, and pleasures and undertook a life of intense penance for more than twelve years. He meditated, fasted, and went without water. After all this, Mahavira tore out his hair and wandered naked with a piece of cloth on his shoulder. He finally became self-illumined. He later chose to become a great human redeemer and hence, started teaching Jainism. Hence, Vardhamana Mahavira became the 24th Tirthankara of the Jain or Jaina Religion.

The Jains have two sects- the Digambaras, sky-clad as they go about naked and Shwetambaras, who wear white clothes. There is a dispute between Digambaras and Shwetambaras about the exact date of Mahavira`s birth. But, the holiday declared by Government of India falls in March- April. Digambara tradition states 615B.C. as the birth year of Mahavira while Shwetambaras hold 599B.C. as the birth year. Digambaras believe Trisala, Mahavira`s mother, had 16 dreams while Shwetambaras assert, she had 14 dreams.

Celebration of Mahavir Jayanti
Mahavir Jayanti is observed in quiet manner with prayers, visiting of sacred places and by worshipping the Tirthankaras as befitting the memory of great ascetic of India. Jains gather in temples to hear readings of the teachings of Mahavira. The event holds special significance in Gujarat and Rajasthan due to the ancient shrines at Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat. Mahavir Jayanti is also celebrated at Parasnath Temple in Kolkata and at Pavapuri in Bihar.

The dreams of Mahavira`s mother before his birth are dramatically presented. The circumstances of his birth, as narrated in the Holy Scriptures are explained to the assembled people. The idol of Bhagwan Mahavir is ceremonially bathed and rocked in a cradle. In many places processions are carried out through the streets with the image of Lord Mahavira. In some areas in India this day is regarded as a general public holiday.

(Last Updated on : 09/04/2013)
 
 
Diwali Dussehra Mahashivratri
Janmashtami Holi Pongal
Ramnavami Vat Savitri Nagpanchami
Vasant Panchami Raksha Bandhan Ganesh Chaturthi
Dev Diwali Baisakhi Dola Yatra
Dipavali Habba Dharmaraya Habba Navaratri Kolu
Brij Festival Agnihotra Navaratri
Rasayatra, Indian Festival Hanuman Jayanti Dhanvantari Jayanti
Chitra Purnima Mahavir Jayanti Ayudha Puja
Charak Puja Jhulan Yatra Kalpataru Utsab
Makar Sankranti Chhath Puja Gowri Habba
Bathukamma Festival in Andhra Pradesh Bonalu Festival in Andhra Pradesh Ratha Saptami
Recently Updated Articles in Indian Festivals
Indian Hindu Customary Ceremonies
Indian Hindu Customary Ceremonies are some of the integral rites and notions of the Hindu sect.
Indian Fairs or Melas
Indian Fairs or Melas are celebrated in different parts of the country during different times of the year.
Indian State Festivals
Indian State Festivals are huge in number and they vary from state to state. The festivals are characterised by colour, enthusiasm, prayers and rituals.
Indian Regional Festivals
Indian Regional Festivals are celebrated at regional level in different states and union territories of India.
Indian National Festivals
The national Festivals celebrated in India are varied. Large numbers of festivals are celebrated in India in honour of their gods and goddesses.
E-mail this Article | Post a Comment
Forum
Forum on Indian Festivals
Free E-magazine
Subscribe to Free E-Magazine on Art & Culture
 
 
Mahavir Jayanti, Indian Jain Festival - Informative & researched article on Mahavir Jayanti, Indian Jain Festival
Sitemap
Contact Us   |   RSS Feeds
Copyright © 2008 Jupiter Infomedia Ltd. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce the contents in whole or in part in any form or medium without the express written permission of
Jupiter Infomedia Ltd.