Mahaveer Jayanti Day 2023 महावीर जयंती -2023, April-4

                                      Mahaveer Jayanti Day 2023

महावीर जयंती -2023, April-4

One of the most important festivals of the Jain community, the Mahavir Jayanti celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara in Jainism. The festival is always conducted without any grand celebration or extravaganza concerning the principles of Jainism. The worship rituals are also not elaborate since their leader did not believe in idol worship. Mahavir Jayanti 2023 will be celebrated on 04th April 2023.

According to the religious scripts and Jain texts, Lord Mahavira was born on the Chaitra month on the 13th day of the waxing moon in Kundalagrama, Bihar, which is just a few kilometres away from Patna. During those days, the state's capital was considered Vaishali.

However, there is still a dispute about the year of his birth. According to the Digambar Jains, he was born in 615 BC, while the Shwetambar Jains consider it to be in 566 BC. Mahavira was given the name Vardhaman by his parents, Queen Trishala and King Siddhartha.

Based on the Shwetambar community's beliefs, Mahavira's mother has 16 dreams. This was later interpreted by many astrologers of the time who believed that he would either become a sage (Tirthankara) or a great emperor. When Mahavira was 30 years old, he left his family and throne for truth and lived 12 years in exile as an ascetic.

He preached non-violence during his time and treated every person with reverence. People gave him the name “Mahavira” after observing his incredible sense-controlling skill. The followers believe that he attained enlightenment (nirvana) at 72. Mahavir Jayanti is to celebrate the birth of Mahavira.

The Jain communities all over the world celebrate Mahavir Jayanti. Although the community believes in avoiding grandiosity and embracing simplicity, many meaningful ceremonies are performed today.

One of the most important traditions of Mahavir Jayanti is to visit many temples and Tirthankar statues. Processions with the images and pictures of Mahavira are held. Temples also conduct various pujas to honour Mahavira with rice, fruits, flowers, and milk. There are a few places where his messages and core values are taught. Some believers also fast on Mahavir Jayanti.

Jainism, which originated in ancient India. Jain temples, also known as Jain Derasars or Basadis, are built to honour Mahavira and other Tirthankaras and serve as places of worship for Jain.

Shree Mahavirji Temple: located in Rajasthan, is one of India's most important Jain pilgrimage sites. It is believed to be the place where Mahavira attained enlightenment.

Panch Kalyanak Temple: located in Gujarat, is dedicated to the five significant events in the life of Mahavira - his birth, enlightenment, first sermon, Diksha (renunciation) and nirvana (final liberation).

Ellora Caves Maharashtra: Famous for its rock-cut temples, the Ellora caves are one of the best places to demonstrate the religious essence of Jainism between the 5th and 10th centuries.

हर साल चैत्र माह के शुक्ल पक्ष की त्रयोदशी तिथि को महावीर जयंती मनाई जाती है। इस साल महावीर जयंती 04 अप्रैल को है। जैन धर्म के 24वें तीर्थंकर महावीर स्वामी का जन्म बिहार के कुंडाग्राम में हुआ था। भगवान महावीर के बचपन का नाम वर्धमान था। कहा जाता है कि 30 वर्ष की आयु में इन्होंने राज महलों के सुख को त्याग कर सत्य की खोज में जंगलों की ओर चले गए। घने जंगलों में रहते हुए इन्होंने बारह वर्षों तक कठोर तपस्या की, जिसके बाद ऋजुबालुका नदी के तट पर साल वृक्ष के नीचे उन्हें कैवल्य ज्ञान की प्राप्ति हुई थी। भगवान महावीर ने समाज के सुधार और लोगों के कल्याण के लिए उपदेश दिए। ऐसे में चलिए जानते हैं महावीर जयंती का शुभ मुहूर्त और उनके विचार.

Prof. John Kurakar