Mahavir Jayanti -- Rituals

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Mahavir Jayanti -- Rituals

Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated on the 13th day of the bright

fortnight of Chaitra. It marks the birth of Vardhaman Mahavir, the

24th Tirthankar of Jains. Jains celebrate this day with great zeal

and devotion.

 

Mahavir was not the founder of Jainism. He reformed the Jain

doctrines so he was more of a reformer than a founder. It is learnt,

in Jain Metaphysics, 'Time' is divided into cycles and, in each half-

cycle, twenty-four tirthankaras, at different intervals preach new

doctrines. Mahavir was the twenty-fourth, and like the others was

omniscient.

 

Mahavir was very strict with his monks and nuns. He enforced

abstinence from material pleasures and comforts and complete

dedication to spirituality. He pondered over the twelve anuprekshas

or matters of deep thinking according to the Jain scriptures.

 

They were to name a few - all worldly things are temporary, The Soul

alone is the sole resort, Body, mind etc. are essentially separate

from the Soul, The soul is essentially pure and the body, etc. are

essentially impure, The emancipated souls remain at the foremost top

of the filled spaces.

 

The emphasis of this day is on renunciation and hence, the day is

not celebrated with pomp or splendour. Instead Jains pray. In

certain places, peaceful processions are organised during which

children have skits lined up depicting different phases of Mahavir's

life. People donate to charitable institutions and temples on this

day.

 

This religious event is largely observed by the Jains, by visiting

sacred sites and worshipping the Tirthankars. The event holds

special significance in Gujarat and Rajasthan, due to the ancient

shrines at Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat. Mahavira Jayanti is also

celebrated at Parasnath temple in Calcutta and at Pawapuri in Bihar.