Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most prominent festivals of the Jain community in India. This day is celebrated as the birthday of the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara, Mahavir who was heir to the Ikshvaku dynasty. According to the Jain literature, Lord Mahavir was born to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala.
At the age of 30, Mahavir left the throne for attaining salvation and later, spent his life enlightening the masses. As per the Gregorian calendar, Mahavir Jayanti falls either in the month of March or April; in 2023 it will be observed on 4th April (Tuesday) and is a Gazetted holiday in India.
Mahavir Jayanti History and Significance
Mahavir Jayanti 2023 | History and significance
Lord Mahavir was born in 599 BCE as a successor to King Siddhartha in the present-day Champaran district of Bihar. Jain literature clearly states that Lord Mahavir came into this world on the thirteenth day of Chaitra, which is observed as his birthday. Legends state that before giving birth to the last Tirthankara, Queen Trishala had numerous optimistic dreams depicting the future of her to-be-born, Mahavir. Jain texts also reveal that his mother felt no pain while giving birth to him.
Mahavir Jayanti Celebrations across India
Mahavir Jayanti 2023 | Mahavir Jayanti Celebrations across India
Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated with utmost joy throughout the nation. Members of the Jain community organize a Rath Yatra which includes taking an idol of Lord Mahavir on a procession. On the way, devotees recite religious rhymes followed by performing Abhisheka of the lord.
As Lord Mahavir was a believer of love and non-violence, priests depart lectures for enlightening the devotees about the same. Devotees engage in philanthropical acts and prayers, on this day; visit temples dedicated to Lord Mahavir and recite regional rhymes.
Read more: Diwali 2023 date in India Calendar
Best Places to Observe the Celebrations of Mahavir Jayanti
- Bhagalpur and Nalanda in Bihar
- Giridh district in Jharkhand
- Junagadh in Gujarat
- Hassan in Karnataka
- Mount Abu in Rajasthan
Other Festivals in India with Holiday Type
| Festivals in India | Day | Date | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year | Sunday | 1 January | Public |
| Lohri | Saturday | 14 January | Restricted |
| Makar Sankranti | Saturday | 14 January | Restricted |
| Pongal | Sunday | 15 January | Restricted |
| Basant Panchmi | Thursday | 26 January | Restricted |
| Republic Day | Thursday | 26 January | Public |
| Guru Ravidass Jayanti | Sunday | 5 February | Restricted |
| Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti | Wednesday | 15 February | Restricted |
| Mahashivratri | Saturday | 18 February | Restricted |
| Losar | Tuesday | 21 February | Restricted |
| Holi | Wednesday | 8 March | Public |
| Ram Navami | Thursday | 30 March | Restricted |
| Mahavir Jayanti | Tuesday | 4 April | Restricted |
| Good Friday | Friday | 7 April | Public |
| Easter | Sunday | 9 April | Restricted |
| Vaisakhi | Friday | 14 April | Restricted |
| Eid Ul Fitr | Saturday | 22 April | Public |
| Buddha Purnima | Friday | 5 May | Public |
| Rabindra Jayanti | Tuesday | 9 May | Restricted |
| Rath Yatra | Tuesday | 20 June | Restricted |
| Eid Al Adha | Thursday | 29 June | Restricted |
| Muharram | Saturday | 29 July | Public |
| Independence Day | Tuesday | 15 August | Public |
| Parsi New Year Navroz | Wednesday | 16 August | Restricted |
| Onam | Tuesday | 29 August | Restricted |
| Raksha Bandhan | Wednesday | 30 August | Restricted |
| Janmashtami | Thursday | 7 September | Restricted |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | Tuesday | 19 September | Restricted |
| Id E Milad | Thursday | 28 September | Public |
| Gandhi Jayanti | Monday | 2 October | Public |
| Shardiya Navratri | Sunday | 15 October | No Holiday |
| Durga Puja | Friday | 20 October | No Holiday |
| Dussehra | Tuesday | 24 October | Public |
| Valmiki Jayanti | Saturday | 28 October | Restricted |
| Halloween Day | Tuesday | 31 October | No Holiday |
| Karva Chauth | Tuesday | 1 November | Restricted |
| Karnataka Rajyotsava | Tuesday | 1 November | Restricted |
| Kerala Piravi | Tuesday | 1 November | Restricted |
| Ahoi Ashtami | Sunday | 5 November | No Holiday |
| Dhanteras | Saturday | 11 November | No Holiday |
| Diwali | Sunday | 12 November | Public |
| Kali Puja | Sunday | 12 November | No Holiday |
| Lakshmi Puja | Sunday | 12 November | No Holiday |
| Govardhan Puja | Monday | 13 November | Public |
| Bhai Dooj | Tuesday | 14 November | Restricted |
| Chhath Puja | Sunday | 19 November | Restricted |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | Monday | 27 November | Public |
| Kartik Purnima | Monday | 27 November | No Holiday |
| Christmas | Monday | 25 December | Public |
