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 Mahabir Jayanti ranks among the well known festivals in India. It is celebrated by the people of the Jain community. The festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Mahavira who was the last Tirthankara. According to the Hindu calendar, Lord Mahavira was born on the 13th day of the rising moon of Chaitra.
Mahabir Jayanti Festival mostly takes place on the period between the months of March and early April. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and mirth. On the day of the festival of Mahavir Jayanti, the temples are decorated with flags and homage is paid to Lord Mahavira. The idol of Lord Mahavira is bathed in rose water and nectar. The ritual is known as “abhishek”. The devotees also make offerings of milk, rice, fruit, incense, lamps to the Lord Mahavira.
On the day of the festival of Mahavir Jayanti, the priests offer pujas to Lord Mahavira and in the form of flowers and fruits. Priests also teach holy teachings to the people and preach holy teachings of Lord Mahavira. People offer donations to save the cows from slaughter.
On the day of the Mahavir Jayanti, people take out processions of Lord Mahavira. The idol is put in a cradle and carried in a procession around the locality. Milk, rice, fruit, incense, lamps and water are offered by the devotees as pujas to the idol.
Wide spread celebrations are held during Mahavir Jayanti in places like Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat and Mount Abu in Rajasthan. Thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the country come to the places to play their homage to Lord Mahavira.
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