Mahaveer Jayanti: Celebrating the Life and Teachings of Lord Mahaveer

Mahaveer Jayanti is one of the most important religious festivals of the Jain community that is celebrated every year on the 13th day of the Chaitra month, which falls in March or April. The festival marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahaveer, the 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism. Lord Mahaveer was born in 599 BCE in the present-day Bihar, India. He was a spiritual leader and teacher who founded the Jain religion.

Mahaveer Jayanti is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion by the Jain community worldwide. The festival is observed by visiting Jain temples, offering prayers, and participating in processions. The celebration of Mahaveer Jayanti lasts for a week, during which the devotees conduct various activities such as reciting religious texts, donating food, and conducting prayer meetings.

On the day of Mahaveer Jayanti, the devotees decorate the temples with flowers and lights, and the idols of Lord Mahaveer are adorned with new clothes and jewellery. A grand procession is taken out on this day, where people carry the idol of Lord Mahaveer on a chariot, and the devotees sing bhajans and hymns in praise of the lord. The procession ends at the temple, where a grand aarti is performed, and the devotees offer prayers and seek blessings from Lord Mahaveer.

Mahaveer Jayanti is a festival that symbolizes the importance of non-violence, truth, and self-control in one's life. Lord Mahaveer taught the principles of Jainism, which revolve around the concept of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), and Asteya (non-stealing). The festival serves as a reminder to the devotees to follow the path of righteousness and to lead a peaceful and ethical life.

In conclusion, Mahaveer Jayanti is a significant festival that celebrates the life and teachings of Lord Mahaveer. The festival is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by the Jain community worldwide. Mahaveer Jayanti serves as a reminder to the devotees to follow the path of righteousness and to lead a peaceful and ethical life.