Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Health & Wellness
Relationships
Travel And Tourism
Food
Makeup
Summer season
Weddings
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / Lifestyle News / Mahavir Jayanti: Significance, history, and more
Lifestyle

Mahavir Jayanti: Significance, history, and more

Mahavir Jayanti: Significance, history, and more
Written by Lahari Basu
Apr 14, 2022, 08:59 am 2 min read
Mahavir Jayanti: Significance, history, and more
Mahavir is believed to be the founder of Jainism (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Mahavir Jayanti or Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is an important religious festival in Jainism that celebrates the birth of Mahavir, the founder of Jainism and the last Tirthankara of the present Avasarpiṇī. Mahavir Jayanti is a public holiday and schools, government offices, and most businesses are closed in India. Followers of this religion pray, fast, and donate to charity on this holy day.

#1
About Mahavir

Born to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala of the Ikshvaku dynasty in present-day Bihar, Mahavir was named "Vardhaman." The queen had several auspicious dreams, depicting the oncoming of a great soul. As per the Digambara sect of Jainism, she saw 16 dreams, but the Svetambara sect says there were 14. Astrologers predicted the baby would grow to be either an emperor or a Tirthankar.

#2
Influence of the Tirthankar

For over a decade, Vardhaman led an ascetic life and wandered about begging for food, wearing little. After gaining enlightenment, he became the last Tirthankara and taught for 30 years before his demise. Those who practice Jainism follow non-violence toward all living beings. Some may even wear face masks to prevent unintentionally killing any insect while breathing in.

#3
Mahavir's principles

His teachings are known as Jain Agamas. To live a righteous life one should follow the principles of nonviolence (Ahimsa) causing harm to no living beings; truthfulness (Satya) speaking the truth; non-stealing (Asteya) not possessing things that aren't yours; Chastity (Bhramacharya) not to lose oneself in sensual pleasures; non-attachment (Aparigraha) not to develop an attachment to the materialistic world or things.

#4
How is the festival celebrated?

The idol of Lord Mahavir is carried out in a procession called rath yatra. Religious rhymes are recited on the way, and Mahavir's statues are given an anointment. Most members of the community donate to charities, pray, do pujas, and fasts. Many devotees visit temples dedicated to Mahavir to meditate and offer prayers. Donations are collected in order to promote charitable missions.

Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Lahari Basu
Lahari Basu
Mail
Having worked in the media industry for six years, Lahari currently writes Lifestyle stories for NewsBytes. Before this, she worked with Microsoft News and Dainik Bhaskar group. An avid traveller, home cook, crocheter, and movie buff, Lahari is always on the lookout for good food, colourful yarns, innovative and thoughtful cinema, and cats! With words as a weapon, nature as strength, optimism as fuel, and an undying thirst for discovery, she is out on a lifelong journey to seek and experience the unknown.
Latest
India
Lifestyle
Related
Latest
Maharashtra: BJP upbeat about forming government with Fadnavis as CM
Maharashtra: BJP upbeat about forming government with Fadnavis as CM Politics
R Kelly sentenced to 30 years over sex trafficking charges
R Kelly sentenced to 30 years over sex trafficking charges Entertainment
#NewsBytesExplainer: What is floor test amid Maharashtra political crisis
#NewsBytesExplainer: What is floor test amid Maharashtra political crisis Politics
Edtech layoffs continue: Byju's, WhiteHat Jr, Toppr fire 2,500 employees
Edtech layoffs continue: Byju's, WhiteHat Jr, Toppr fire 2,500 employees Business
5 must-read books by George Elliot
5 must-read books by George Elliot Lifestyle
India
Hero Lectro e-cycles become cheaper thanks to Rs. 15,000 subsidy
Hero Lectro e-cycles become cheaper thanks to Rs. 15,000 subsidy Auto
Bengaluru Airport installs diaper changing room in men's washroom
Bengaluru Airport installs diaper changing room in men's washroom Lifestyle
Who is Mohammed Zubair, journalist arrested for hurting religious sentiments?
Who is Mohammed Zubair, journalist arrested for hurting religious sentiments? India
Sri Lanka under virtual lockdown over fuel scarcity amid crisis
Sri Lanka under virtual lockdown over fuel scarcity amid crisis World
Man left behind by 'baraat' sues groom for Rs. 50L
Man left behind by 'baraat' sues groom for Rs. 50L Lifestyle
More News
Lifestyle
British zoo welcomes foal of rare Central Asian wild horse
British zoo welcomes foal of rare Central Asian wild horse Lifestyle
Top Durjoy Datta novels for loveria patients!
Top Durjoy Datta novels for loveria patients! Lifestyle
5 must-read books by Nicholas Sparks
5 must-read books by Nicholas Sparks Lifestyle
The ultimate guide for setting personal goals
The ultimate guide for setting personal goals Lifestyle
What are planet retrogrades and why do they matter?
What are planet retrogrades and why do they matter? Lifestyle
More News
Related
5 incredible beliefs held by literary great Rabindranath Tagore
5 incredible beliefs held by literary great Rabindranath Tagore Lifestyle
Celebrating and understanding Vishu and Puthandu
Celebrating and understanding Vishu and Puthandu Lifestyle
Hanuman Jayanti 2022: Significance, celebrations and more
Hanuman Jayanti 2022: Significance, celebrations and more Lifestyle
Hindu New Year 2022: Celebrations in different Indian states
Hindu New Year 2022: Celebrations in different Indian states Lifestyle
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love Lifestyle news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

Lifestyle Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022