Mahavir Jayanti 2026: Date, time, history, celebration and significance

Mahavir Jayanti is the most prominent festival that is celebrated by Jain community people. The day is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, renowned 24th Jain Tirthankara. He was born in the month of Chaitra on the thirteenth day of Shukla Paksha. He is regarded as a spiritual teacher, who taalked about dharma. Today, March 31, 2026, is the day, when the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir is being celebrated.

Mahavir Jayanti 2026: Date and Time

Trayodashi Tithi Begins - March 30, 2026 - 07:09 AM

Trayodashi Tithi Ends - March 31, 2026 - 06:55 AM

Mahavir Jayanti 2026: Story

For Jains, Mahavir Jayanti holds immense significance. They enthusiastically and fervently celebrate this day. One of the most well-known Jain saints, Lord Mahavir, is honored on this day. It is believed that throughout her pregnancy, Mahavira's mother experienced several fortunate dreams. While the Digambara Jains think she saw 14 dreams during her pregnancy, the Svetambara Jains say she saw 16. One of the most revered and successful spiritual leader, who spread awareness about harmony and peace is Lord Mahavir. Lord Mahavir is the 24th and last Tirthankara in the Jainism.

Mahavir Jayanti 2026: Significance

Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most significant festivals celebrated by Jain community people. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, who is also known as Vardhanaman. King Sidhartha and Queen Trisala were the parents of Lord Mahavir. According to Swetambars, he was born in Kundalagrama, Bihar, on the thirteenth day of the Hindu calendar month Chaitra in 599 BC; however, Digambar Jains think he was born in 615 BC. He was given the name Vardhaman when he was younger. Despite being born into a royal family and surrounded by all the pleasures and luxuries of life, he did not participate in this materialistic society. He was never drawn to these materialistic pleasures. As he grew older, he began to question the purpose of his life. Consequently, at the age of thirty, he left the kingdom, his family, and his worldly responsibilities to seek inner peace and quiet in the forest. He underwent a rigorous 12-year penance in order attain salvation.

Mahavir Jayanti 2026: Teachings

Lord Mahavir taught so many thing in which these following few things are the main and most of the Jain community people follow this :-

Non Violence - Not to cause any harm to anyone because it won't bring peace to your soul.

Truthfulness - Always walk on a path of truthfulness and never lie to anyone. It is considered as a sin.

Chastity - Not to get indulge in any kind of pleasure and maintain celibacy.

Non Attachment - Not to get attached with anyone or any materialistic things. It wont stay forever.

No Stealing - Don't take anything from anyone if its not given to you.

Mahavir Jayanti 2026: Puja Rituals

1. Take a holy bath as soon as you wake up.

2. They do abhishekam, offer flowers, and erect an idol of Lord Mahavira.

3. Fruits and sweets are offered by devotees. The idol is carried out on a chariot.

4. They donate clothing and feed the underprivileged on this specific day.

5. On this auspicious day, people keep a rigid fast.

6. Lectures on the path of virtue are given at temples. There are thousands of followers at several well-known Jain temples.

7. Satvik cuisine, which includes freshly prepared vegetarian meals that has no onions and garlic, should be consumed everywhere.