Mahavir Jayanti 2027महावीर जयन्ती

When is Mahavir Jayanti?

Observed on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi. Dates follow the Panchang for New Delhi and can differ by a day in other places — check the Panchang for your city.

What Mahavir Jayanti means

Mahavir Jayanti celebrates the birth of Vardhamana Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara ("ford-maker") of Jainism, on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi. For Jains it is the most important festival of the year; for many Hindus and others it is a day to honour one of India's greatest teachers of non-violence.

Mahavira taught five great vows — ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity) and aparigraha (non-possession) — and the principle of anekantavada, that truth has many sides. His teaching of reverence for all life deeply shaped Indian ethics, including Gandhi's.

The story of Mahavir Jayanti

According to Jain tradition, Queen Trishala saw a series of auspicious dreams — fourteen in the Svetambara tradition, sixteen in the Digambara — foretelling the birth of a great soul. The child Vardhamana was born at Kundagrama near Vaishali; his family's fortunes grew from the time of his conception, and so he was named "the one who increases".

At thirty, Vardhamana gave up his royal life, became a wandering ascetic and practised intense austerities for twelve and a half years, bearing hardship with perfect equanimity. He attained kevala jnana under a sal tree on the bank of the Rijupalika river, and as Mahavira — "the great hero" — taught for thirty years. He attained nirvana at Pavapuri in Bihar, an event Jains remember on Diwali.

Mahavir Jayanti puja vidhi, step by step

Mahavir Jayanti is observed mainly in Jain temples and homes. These are common practices; Svetambara and Digambara customs differ in detail.

What you need

• Pure water and milk for abhisheka (in temples)
• Rice, flowers, fruits and sweets for puja
• A lamp and incense
• Items for charity

When to do the puja

In 2027 Mahavir Jayanti falls on Monday, 19 April (Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi). Check the Jain or local Panchang for your city. See the Panchang for your city.

Steps

1. Morning worship. Visit a Jain temple for the abhisheka of Mahavira's image, or pray at home with the Navkar mantra.
2. Procession. Join the rath yatra or shobha yatra in which the image of Mahavira is carried through the streets.
3. Hear the teachings. Listen to a discourse on Mahavira's life and the five vows.
4. Charity and compassion. Give food and help to the poor, and support animal shelters (panjrapol).
5. Simple food. Keep a fast or eat simple, strictly vegetarian food, as your tradition directs.

Offerings & food: Rice, fruits, flowers and sweets in temple worship; generous charity to the needy and to animal shelters

Mantras for Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti across India

Celebrated by Jain communities everywhere, especially in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Bihar; great gatherings at Kundalpur, Pavapuri, Palitana and Girnar; a public holiday in India

Bihar

Celebrations at Kundalpur and Vaishali, traditionally linked with his birth, and at Pavapuri, the place of his nirvana, with its temple in a lotus pond.

Gujarat and Rajasthan

Large processions and temple festivities in Ahmedabad, Palitana, Mount Abu and across the Jain heartland.

Karnataka

Celebrations at Shravanabelagola and other Digambara centres.

Prayers to recite

Do’s and don’ts

Frequently asked questions