The festival of Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the founder of Jainism. Read on to find out how Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated and why is it considered as a grand occasion for Jains. Mahavir Jayanti is the most important religious holiday for Jains. Lord Mahavir was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism. Mahavir Jayanti is a very sacred occasion and members of the community honour and celebrate this occasion with great devotion. In this articleEarly life of Lord MahavirLord Mahavir’s RenunciationLord Mahavir – The AsceticTeachings of Lord MahavirMahavir Jayanti Celebrations Early life of Lord Mahavir Lord Mahavir was born into a royal family in India. When Lord Mahavir’s mother was pregnant with him, his father King Siddhartha’s prosperity started increasing. His parents attributed this success to the baby and named him Vardhaman which means continuously developing or progressing. From a young age, he displayed exemplary valour and boldness. Once a heavenly angel disguised himself as a monster and appeared in front of Mahavir. He was still a small boy at that time, but yet he fought and overcame the monster. Very pleased and impressed, the angel appeared in its real form and called him ‘Mahavir’ which means, ‘the great and brave one.’ Lord Mahavir’s Renunciation After the death of his parents, Lord Mahavir informed his brother of his decision to become a monk. Even though Lord Mahavir was born into a royal family, he had no interest or attachment towards worldly materialistic luxuries. He led a very simple life. When his brother heard about his decision, he asked him to wait for a couple of years before leaving. During this period, his brother observed that he led an absolutely detached life. Mahavir had to wait for two years after which his brother gave him permission to become a monk. At the age of thirty, Lord Mahavir renounced worldly life and activities to become a monk. Lord Mahavir – The Ascetic After renouncing the throne and becoming a monk, Lord Mahavir had to go through tremendous obstacles and physical pain from various sources, but yet he remained peaceful and calm. At one point of time, he was even bitten by a highly poisonous snake. For twelve years, he practised a life of severe austerity and spent most of his meditating. In spite of going through great suffering and torture during this time, he never let anything obstruct his search for nirvana and never developed hatred for anyone or anything. At the age of forty two, he attained omniscience and came to be known as Jina, the 24th Tirthankara. Teachings of Lord Mahavir Lord Mahavir often stressed the importance of cultivating a positive attitude in life. His sermons guided people and encouraged them to co-exist peacefully and in harmony. Lord Mahavir preached five main principles, namely non-violence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non stealing (Achaurya), celibacy (Brahma charya), and non possession (Aparigraha). In 527 B.C, he attained Nirvana which means he was liberated and free from the cycle of life and death. He preached universal love and compassion. He attracted people from all walks of life. He showed the path of humanity to the entire world and his teachings are very much relevant even today. Mahavir Jayanti Celebrations Considering the significance of Mahavir Jayanti for Jains, government offices, schools, and public institutions like banks remain closed on this day. Followers of Jainism shut down their shops and businesses. The Jain temple is decorated colourfully and beautifully for the occasion. Festivities begin with devotees bathing the idols of Lord Mahavir ceremoniously and rocking it in a cradle. The statue placed in the cradle is carried out in a religious procession. Processions are often conducted in a grand manner and include a chariot, horses, elephants and drummers. All through the procession, they chant prayers and sing bhajans and hymns. Devotees make huge donations on this day. Silent prayers are offered and sermons are held to propagate Lord Mahavir’s teachings. On the day of Mahavir Jayanti, the Jains prepare special recipes for the occasion. Celebrations are grander and carried out on a larger scale in places where there is more of Jain population such as Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Jains make offerings to the poor people on this day. The festival is not just celebrated in India; members of the Jain community living abroad also celebrate it enthusiastically. Children are told stories of Lord Mahavir. Jain temples are decorated with flags. Mahavir Jayanti is a very auspicious occasion for the followers of Jainism and the day ends with prayer and meditation at the shrine, temple or communal area. Do you know why Mahavir Jayanti is such a sacred occasion for Jains? Why is Lord Mahavir so revered in Jainism? How is Mahavir Jayanti celebrated? Discuss here.
The festival of Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the founder of Jainism. Read on to find out how Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated and why is it considered as a grand occasion for Jains. Mahavir Jayanti is the most important religious holiday for Jains. Lord Mahavir was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism. Mahavir Jayanti is a very sacred occasion and members of the community honour and celebrate this occasion with great devotion.
Lord Mahavir was born into a royal family in India. When Lord Mahavir’s mother was pregnant with him, his father King Siddhartha’s prosperity started increasing. His parents attributed this success to the baby and named him Vardhaman which means continuously developing or progressing. From a young age, he displayed exemplary valour and boldness. Once a heavenly angel disguised himself as a monster and appeared in front of Mahavir. He was still a small boy at that time, but yet he fought and overcame the monster. Very pleased and impressed, the angel appeared in its real form and called him ‘Mahavir’ which means, ‘the great and brave one.’
Lord Mahavir’s Renunciation
After the death of his parents, Lord Mahavir informed his brother of his decision to become a monk. Even though Lord Mahavir was born into a royal family, he had no interest or attachment towards worldly materialistic luxuries. He led a very simple life. When his brother heard about his decision, he asked him to wait for a couple of years before leaving. During this period, his brother observed that he led an absolutely detached life. Mahavir had to wait for two years after which his brother gave him permission to become a monk. At the age of thirty, Lord Mahavir renounced worldly life and activities to become a monk.
Lord Mahavir – The Ascetic
After renouncing the throne and becoming a monk, Lord Mahavir had to go through tremendous obstacles and physical pain from various sources, but yet he remained peaceful and calm. At one point of time, he was even bitten by a highly poisonous snake. For twelve years, he practised a life of severe austerity and spent most of his meditating. In spite of going through great suffering and torture during this time, he never let anything obstruct his search for nirvana and never developed hatred for anyone or anything. At the age of forty two, he attained omniscience and came to be known as Jina, the 24thTirthankara.
Teachings of Lord Mahavir
Lord Mahavir often stressed the importance of cultivating a positive attitude in life. His sermons guided people and encouraged them to co-exist peacefully and in harmony. Lord Mahavir preached five main principles, namely non-violence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non stealing (Achaurya), celibacy (Brahma charya), and non possession (Aparigraha). In 527 B.C, he attained Nirvana which means he was liberated and free from the cycle of life and death. He preached universal love and compassion. He attracted people from all walks of life. He showed the path of humanity to the entire world and his teachings are very much relevant even today.
Mahavir Jayanti Celebrations
Considering the significance of Mahavir Jayanti for Jains, government offices, schools, and public institutions like banks remain closed on this day. Followers of Jainism shut down their shops and businesses. The Jain temple is decorated colourfully and beautifully for the occasion. Festivities begin with devotees bathing the idols of Lord Mahavir ceremoniously and rocking it in a cradle. The statue placed in the cradle is carried out in a religious procession. Processions are often conducted in a grand manner and include a chariot, horses, elephants and drummers. All through the procession, they chant prayers and sing bhajans and hymns. Devotees make huge donations on this day. Silent prayers are offered and sermons are held to propagate Lord Mahavir’s teachings.
On the day of Mahavir Jayanti, the Jains prepare special recipes for the occasion. Celebrations are grander and carried out on a larger scale in places where there is more of Jain population such as Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Jains make offerings to the poor people on this day. The festival is not just celebrated in India; members of the Jain community living abroad also celebrate it enthusiastically. Children are told stories of Lord Mahavir. Jain temples are decorated with flags. Mahavir Jayanti is a very auspicious occasion for the followers of Jainism and the day ends with prayer and meditation at the shrine, temple or communal area.
Do you know why Mahavir Jayanti is such a sacred occasion for Jains? Why is Lord Mahavir so revered in Jainism? How is Mahavir Jayanti celebrated? Discuss here.
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