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4.1 Mahavir Jayanti
Festival
Mahavir Jayanti (Mahävir Janma Kalyanak) is one of the main Jain festivals. The Jain community observes the birth anniversary of Lord Mahävir with great devotion. Mahavir Jayanti falls on the 13th day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra (MarchApril) according to the Jain and Hindu lunar calendar. It is a day to remember and worship Bhagawän Mahävir and all other Tirthankars.
Significance
Mahävir led his followers to seek liberation through penance, abstinence and meditation. He was perceived in his times as a reformer who strongly opposed ritualism and false beliefs, which overwhelmed Hinduism in the later Vedic times. He was also against the ancient way of worshiping idols for material benefit. Therefore, there are not many elaborate rituals carried out in any of the Jain festivals.
Unlike most Indian festivals, Mahävir Jayanti, in keeping with the austere nature of Jainism, is celebrated with great sincerity and devotion. For the Jains, quiet celebrations, visits to temples, prayers and worship mark the birth anniversary of Mahävir. Visiting various pilgrimage places is also a vital part of the celebration. Special prayers are also offered at the Jain temples.
People attend sermons to learn the teachings of Lord Mahävir.
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MAHAVIR JAYANTI
Celebrations
Now, many members of the Jain community have started performing rituals and the rites of Abhisheka quite enthusiastically. They make offerings of water, rice, fruit, incense, lamps, and sweets to the idol of the Tirthankar as a part of an elaborate worship ritual. Some communities even celebrate this day by carrying out grand processions with the idol of Bhagawan Mahavir in an elegant chariot.
Temples are decorated to express devotion and joy for the occasion of Bhagawän's birthday.
It is also an educational and fun experience for Jain youth to celebrate this day by expressing Bhagawän Mahävir's message through cultural activities like speeches, plays, songs, and dances related to Bhagawän Mahävir's life.
The Murtipujak Jains visit temples and worships the idol of Lord Mahävir; the Non-murtipujak Jains emphasize the internalization of the faith.
The event holds special significance in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan because the ancient Jain shrines at Girnar, Delwädä, and Palitana are situated in these states. Mahävir Jayanti is also celebrated at Päväpuri in Bihar state where Lord Mahävir attained nirvana.
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