Mahavir Jayanti 2025: What is Mahavir Jayanti, how to celebrate it and it’s importance.

Mahavir Jayanti 2025: Mahavir Jayanti is a significant religious festival for Jainism that celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavir. He was the 24th and last Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) of the Jain faith. He was born in 599 BCE in Kundagrama (present-day Bihar, India) as Vardhaman. This festival is usually observed on the 13th day of the Chaitra month in the Hindu calendar (usually in March or April).

Mahavir Jayanti is not just a celebration of his birth, but a reminder of his message to live with peace, compassion, and self-discipline. His teachings continue to inspire people around the world, regardless of religion.

When is Mahavir Jayanti 2025?

Mahavir Jayanti 2025 will be celebrated on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Who is Lord Mahavir?

Lord Mahavir was the 24th and last Tirthankara spiritual teacher) of Jainism (Which is one of the oldest religions in the world). He is considered the reformer and most prominent figure of Jain dharma, and his teachings form the core of the religion as it is practiced today.

He was Born into a royal Kshatriya family and his father was King Siddhartha, and his mother was Queen Trishala. At the age of 30, he renounced his royal life and worldly possessions to seek spiritual truth. He meditated and practiced severe penance for 12 years, ultimately attaining Keval Gyan (infinite knowledge or enlightenment). At the age of 72, he attained moksha (liberation) in 527 BCE at Pavapuri, Bihar.

Details on his teachings.

Some teachings of Lord Mahavir are:

• The Five Great Vows (Mahavratas): Ahimsa (Non-Violence), Satya (Truth), Asteya (Non-Stealing), Brahmacharya (Celibacy or Chastity), and Aparigraha (Non-Possessiveness).
• Three Jewels of Jainism (Ratnatraya): Right Faith (Samyak Darshan): Belief in truth and in the teachings of enlightened beings, Right Knowledge (Samyak Gyan): Understanding reality as it is, without doubt or superstition, and Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra): Living ethically and following the vows.
• Anekantavada (Multiplicity of Views): The Truth is complex and can be seen from multiple viewpoints. This encourages tolerance, open-mindedness, and respectful dialogue.

  

• Karma: Every action (mental, verbal, or physical) creates karma. Karma binds the soul and causes rebirth. The goal is to purify the soul by stopping the inflow of karma and shedding existing karma.
• Liberation: Liberation (moksha) is attained when the soul is completely free of karma.
• Emphasis on Self-Discipline and Inner Peace

How is Mahavir Jayanti celebrated?

Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated with great devotion by the Jain community across India and in many parts of the world. It marks the birth of Lord Mahavir, and the celebrations focus on spreading his message of peace, non-violence, and spiritual awakening.

Some of the ways it is celebrated are:

• Devotees visit Jain temples early in the morning and Idols of Lord Mahavir are given a ceremonial bath (Abhishek) with milk, water, and sandalwood. Whereas, Temples are beautifully decorated with flowers, lights, and rangolis.
• Then come the part of Rath Yatras (Chariot Processions) in which Grand processions are carried out in streets with the idol of Lord Mahavir placed on a beautifully decorated chariot.

  

• Devotees sing bhajans (devotional songs), chant mantras, and perform dances.
• Children and adults dress in traditional attire and enact scenes from Lord Mahavir’s life.
• Monks and spiritual leaders give discourses on Lord Mahavir’s teachings.
• These talks are held in temples, community halls, or online platforms.
• Some Animal welfare activities like feeding stray animals or releasing birds are common while this celebration.
• Many Jains observe fasts or practice vrats (spiritual vows) as a form of devotion.
• Some spend the day in meditation, prayer, and self-reflection.
  Community Feasts (Ahimsa Bhojan)
• Special vegetarian meals are prepared without harming any life forms.
• Social Media and Online Celebrations by people also share quotes, videos, and teachings of Lord Mahavir online to spread awareness globally in modern times.

Details on the the importance of this festival in current time?

Some importance of this festival in the current time are:

• It is a Reminder of Non-Violence (Ahimsa).
• It is promoting Simplicity and Minimalism.
• It spreads inner Peace in a Distracted World.
• It teaches as Moral and Ethical Living.
• It spreads respect for Diversity.
• It is an inspiration for Youth.

Also Read this: Poshan Pakhwada 2025: What is it, its theme, importance’s of this event, key activities during the event and more.