Mahavir Jayanti is the most important Jain festival. It celebrates the birth of Saint Mahavir in a small town called Vaishali. The importance of the festival owes to the fact that Saint Mahavir was the founder of Jainism as a religion. It is a peaceful religion that cherishes simplicity. Their core values are such that they do not believe in killing even an insect. The mood of this festival is also without any kind of drama, just a quite celebration with respect to their saint. There are dominantly four types of Jains: Digambars and Svetambaras, Deravasis and Sthanakvasis. The worship rituals of Jains are not very elaborate or striking as their leader Mahavir was against idol worship in its ideal sense. Out of the four sects only Deravasis go to temples, while the others regard their ideal faith to be purest when internalized.
History/Significance
Mahavir Jain was born in the 5th century B.C. He was born in a palace of Vaishali to King Siddhartha and Queen Trisala. During the pregnancy, the queen is said to have had dreams of auspicious nature. The number of dreams varies in belief of each sect. After running his kingdom faithfully till 30 years of his age, the great saint gave up all luxuries and comforts of palace for penance. For twelve long years the saint had been under penance. At this time he was enlightened. He was known to be the 24th and the last tirthankara to have received enlightenment. He gave up all redundancies of life. He would eat on his palms refusing to use a plate. He also gave up wearing clothes. Getting rid of these rudimentary materials he focused on the real things and the real meaning of life. He preached the importance of truth and non-violence along with the message of not owning anything and not stealing. He later formulated all his teachings into a religion that he names Jainism.
Celebrations And Rituals
The festival is celebrated throughout the country among Jain communities. Although they believe in simplicity and avoid grandiosity, there are some significant ceremonies that they uphold. One of the most significant traditions of this day is the visit to various tirthankar statues and temples. There are processions with pictures and images of Mahavir. The temples have varied pujas to honor the statue of Mahavir by flowers, rice, fruits and abhishek it with milk. There are places of gathering or temples where the core values and message of Mahavira is preached. Some places his life history is also told. Some of the believers also observe a fast on this day. Kheer is prepared in most houses as a sweet dish.
Commonly Celebrated
Lord Mahavira, as it is believed in Jainism was born somewhere around the 5th century B.C. His birth date according to Lunar calendar is on the thirteenth day of the month of rising moon called Chaitr. According to the Gregorian calendar it falls somewhere in the month of April. The most important places of celebration of Mahavir Jayanti are Gujarat and Rajasthan. Gujarat is said to have to maximum number of Jain shrines. They are also the states where highest numbers of Jains reside. In India, Gujarat holds the biggest fair for this festival. Palitana and Girnar are some of the most significant places of worship of the state. Yet Vaishali, in Bihar, being the birth place of Mahavir, has its own importance and also celebrates this Jayanti significantly.