Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is one of the most important religious festivals in Jainism. It celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavir, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara (supreme preacher) of present Avasarpiṇī.[a] On the Gregorian calendar, the holiday occurs either in March or April.
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
Vardhaman Mahavir image at Keelakuyilkudi, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Official name
Mahavir Jayanti
Also called
Translation: Birth Anniversary of Lord Mahavir; Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
According to Jain texts, Mahavir was born on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the moon in the month of Chaitra in the year 599 BCE (Chaitra Sud 13).[2][3] Most modern historians consider Kundagram (which is today's Kundalpur in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar) as his birthplace. Mahavir was born in a democratic kingdom (Ganarajya), Vajji, where the king was chosen by votes. Vaishali was its capital.[4] Mahavir was named 'Vardhaman', meaning "One who grows", because of the increased prosperity in the kingdom at the time of his birth.[5] In Vasokund, Mahavir is revered by the villagers. A place called Ahalya bhumi has not been ploughed for hundreds of years by the family that owns it, as it is considered to be the birthplace of Mahavir.[4]
Legend
Mahavirswami was born into Ikshvaku dynasty as the son of King Siddhartha of Kundagrama and Queen Trishala. During her pregnancy, Trishala was believed to have had a number of auspicious dreams, all signifying the coming of a great soul. Digambara sect of Jainism holds that the mother saw sixteen dreams which were interpreted by the King Siddhartha.[6] According to the Svetambara sect, the total number of auspicious dreams is fourteen. It is said that when Queen Trishala gave birth to Mahavir, Indra, the head of heavenly beings (devas) performed a ritual called abhisheka on Sumeru Parvat, this being the second of five auspicious events (Panch Kalyanakas), said to occur in the life of all Tirthankaras.[7]
Celebrations
Sixteen auspicious dreams seen by the mother of all Tirthankara
The idol of Lord Mahavir is carried out on a chariot, in a procession called rath yatra.[8] On the way stavans (religious rhymes) are recited.[9] Statues of Mahavir are given a ceremonial anointment called the abhisheka. During the day, most members of the Jain community engage in some sort of charitable act, prayers, pujas, and vratas. Many devotees visit temples dedicated to Mahavir to meditate and offer prayers.[10] Lectures by monks and nuns are held in temples to preach the path of virtue as defined by Jainism. Donations are collected in order to promote charitable missions like saving cows from slaughter or helping to feed poor people. Ancient Jain temples across India typically see an extremely high volume of practitioners come to pay their respects and join in the celebrations.[11] Ahimsa runs and rallies preaching Lord Mahavir's message of Ahiṃsā (non-violence) are taken out on this day.[12][13][14]
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Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is one of the most important religious festivals in Jainism It celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavir the twenty fourth and last Tirthankara supreme preacher of present Avasarpiṇi a On the Gregorian calendar the holiday occurs either in March or April Mahavir Janma KalyanakVardhaman Mahavir image at Keelakuyilkudi Madurai Tamil Nadu India Official nameMahavir JayantiAlso calledTranslation Birth Anniversary of Lord Mahavir Mahavir Janma KalyanakObserved byJainsTypeReligious India National holiday SignificanceBirth Anniversary of Mahavir SwamiCelebrationsGoing to the Jain TempleObservancesPrayers religious ritualsDateChaitra Sud Triyodashi Vira Nirvana Samvat FrequencyAnnual Contents 1 Birth 1 1 Legend 2 Celebrations 3 References 4 Notes 5 Sources 6 External links 7 See alsoBirth EditAccording to Jain texts Mahavir was born on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the moon in the month of Chaitra in the year 599 BCE Chaitra Sud 13 2 3 Most modern historians consider Kundagram which is today s Kundalpur in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar as his birthplace Mahavir was born in a democratic kingdom Ganarajya Vajji where the king was chosen by votes Vaishali was its capital 4 Mahavir was named Vardhaman meaning One who grows because of the increased prosperity in the kingdom at the time of his birth 5 In Vasokund Mahavir is revered by the villagers A place called Ahalya bhumi has not been ploughed for hundreds of years by the family that owns it as it is considered to be the birthplace of Mahavir 4 Legend Edit Mahavirswami was born into Ikshvaku dynasty as the son of King Siddhartha of Kundagrama and Queen Trishala During her pregnancy Trishala was believed to have had a number of auspicious dreams all signifying the coming of a great soul Digambara sect of Jainism holds that the mother saw sixteen dreams which were interpreted by the King Siddhartha 6 According to the Svetambara sect the total number of auspicious dreams is fourteen It is said that when Queen Trishala gave birth to Mahavir Indra the head of heavenly beings devas performed a ritual called abhisheka on Sumeru Parvat this being the second of five auspicious events Panch Kalyanakas said to occur in the life of all Tirthankaras 7 Celebrations Edit Sixteen auspicious dreams seen by the mother of all Tirthankara Ancient image of Lord Mahavir at ThirakoilThe idol of Lord Mahavir is carried out on a chariot in a procession called rath yatra 8 On the way stavans religious rhymes are recited 9 Statues of Mahavir are given a ceremonial anointment called the abhisheka During the day most members of the Jain community engage in some sort of charitable act prayers pujas and vratas Many devotees visit temples dedicated to Mahavir to meditate and offer prayers 10 Lectures by monks and nuns are held in temples to preach the path of virtue as defined by Jainism Donations are collected in order to promote charitable missions like saving cows from slaughter or helping to feed poor people Ancient Jain temples across India typically see an extremely high volume of practitioners come to pay their respects and join in the celebrations 11 Ahimsa runs and rallies preaching Lord Mahavir s message of Ahiṃsa non violence are taken out on this day 12 13 14 Religion portal Holidays portalReferences Edit Mahavir Jayanti in India India Gujarat 1975 Gazetteers Junagadh p 13 Kristi L Wiley Historical Dictionary of Jainism Lanham 2004 p 134 a b Jalaj 2011 p 4 Kailash Chand Jain 1991 p 32 Pannalal Jain 2015 p 460 Pramansagar Muni 2008 Jain tattvavidya India Bhartiya Gyanpeeth p 30 ISBN 978 81 263 1480 5 Piety marks Mahaveer Jayanthi Deccan Herald 3 April 2015 Both sects of Jain community take out attractive joint procession Archived from the original on 6 April 2015 Mahaveer Jayanti 2015 The importance of a Satvik meal NDTV 2 April 2015 archived from the original on 4 April 2016 How and Why Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated India Today Jain youth to hold vegan promotion rally on Mahaveer Jayanti in pink city Jaipur merinews com 28 March 2015 Jains gear up for Mahaveer Janma Kalyanak tomorrow dnaindia com 1 April 2015 Staff Reporter 30 March 2015 Over 900 run for spreading Bhagwan Mahaveer s message The Hindu Notes Edit descending half of the worldly time cycle as per Jain cosmology which is actually current nowSources EditJain Kailash Chand 1991 Lord Mahavira and His Times Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 81 208 0805 8 Jain Pannalal 2015 Uttarapuraṇa of Acharya Guṇabhadra Bhartiya Jnanpith ISBN 978 81 263 1738 7 Jalaj Dr Jaykumar 2011 The Basic Thought of Bhagavan Mahavir Mumbai Hindi Granth Karyalay ISBN 978 81 88769 41 4External links EditHistory of Jainism Lord Mahavira Sayings The Significance of Mahavir Janma KalyanakSee also EditDiwali Jainism Jain rituals Jain festivals Kshamavani God in Jainism Parshvanatha Digambara Timeline of Jainism Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mahavir Janma Kalyanak amp oldid 1145824747, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
