Mahavir Jayanti

• Recently, on The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar has greeted the people of the nation on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.
• It is an auspicious day for the followers of Jainism as it marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, who was the last Tirthankara of Jainism.
• Lord Mahavira was born on the 13th day of the bright half of the moon in the month of Chaitra.
  • As per the Gregorian calendar, it is usually celebrated in the month of March or April.
• On Mahavir Jayanti, a procession is held with the idol of Lord Mahavira called the Rath Yatra, and the statue is given a ceremonial bath called abhisheka.

About Vardhaman Mahavira 

• He was the 24^th and last Tirthankara; succeeded the 23^rd Tirthankara,
• Born to King Siddhartha of Kundalgram and Queen Trishala, a Lichchhavi princess in 6^th century BC in Vajji kingdom (modern day Vaishali, Bihar)
• He abandoned worldly life at age 30 and attained ‘kaivalya’ (omniscience) at age 42.
• Delivered his first sermon at Pava (near Patna).
• Mahavira’s teachings revolved around the principles of ahimsa, Satya, brahmacharya, and aparigraha.
• He emphasized the importance of non-violence, truth, non-stealing, chastity, and non-attachment, which were later compiled into Jain Agamas.
• His teachings were simple and easy to understand as they were in Prakrit, a language that ordinary people could comprehend.
• It is believed that Lord Mahavira passed away at the age of 72 and attained moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death at Pavapuri near modern-day Rajgir in Bihar.