April 14, 2025 
Mahavir Jayanti is a significant religious festival in Jainism that celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of Jainism. It is observed on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Chaitra. This day is celebrated by Jains worldwide to commemorate the birth of Lord Mahavir, who championed the principles of non-violence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non-stealing (Asteya), celibacy (Brahmacharya), and non-possessiveness (Aparigraha).
This year, in 2025, Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated on Thursday, April 10th. The auspicious Trayodashi Tithi (the thirteenth day of the waxing moon in the month of Chaitra) begins on Wednesday, April 9th at 10:55 PM and ends on Friday, April 11th at 1:00 AM.
The Mahavir Jayanti Puja Mahurat is observed from 6:15 AM to 8:30 AM on April 10th, providing a propitious window for prayers and observances on this sacred day.
A significant aspect of the celebration involves visiting Jain temples where special prayers and rituals are conducted. Devotees often participate in the Abhisheka ceremony, which is the ritual bathing of Lord Mahavir’s idol with water, milk, and other auspicious substances, symbolizing purification. Many engage in fasting as a form of self-discipline and spiritual purification, abstaining from food and sometimes even water for the entire day or consuming only simple, satvik meals without onion or garlic.
Another significant way Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated is through processions called Rath Yatras. In these processions, beautifully adorned idols of Lord Mahavir are placed in chariots and taken through the streets, symbolizing the spread of his teachings. Devotees walk alongside, chanting prayers and singing devotional songs (bhajans), creating a vibrant and spiritually charged atmosphere. Charity and service are also important aspects of the celebration. Jains often donate food, clothing, and money to the needy and engage in community service, embodying Lord Mahavir’s teachings of compassion and non-possessiveness. Listening to discourses by Jain monks and scholars on the life and philosophy of Lord Mahavir is another way devotees deepen their understanding towards the festival.
Significance and Philosophy
Lord Mahavir, born as Prince Vardhamana in ancient India, renounced his worldly life at the age of thirty in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. After twelve years of intense asceticism and meditation, he attained Kevala Jnana, becoming a Jina, meaning “conqueror” of inner enemies like attachment and hatred. His teachings form the core tenets of Jainism, emphasizing the importance of living a life of minimal harm to all living beings, adhering to truthfulness in speech and action, abstaining from taking anything not freely given, practicing self-control and celibacy, and detaching oneself from material possessions. Mahavir Jayanti serves as a reminder of these timeless principles and inspires Jains to strive towards a life of ethical conduct and spiritual liberation.
Observances and Celebrations
The celebration of Mahavir Jayanti is characterized by various religious and cultural activities. Devotees typically visit Jain temples, also known as Derasars, where special prayers and rituals are performed. The Abhisheka ceremony, the ceremonial bathing of Lord Mahavir’s idol, is a significant ritual symbolizing purification and reverence. Many Jains observe fasts, ranging from complete abstinence to consuming only specific types of food, as a form of self-discipline and spiritual cleansing. Recitation of sacred Jain texts, such as the Kalpasutra which narrates the life of Lord Mahavir, and devotional hymns (bhajans) fill the air in temples and homes.
Community and Charity
Mahavir Jayanti is also a time for community gathering and charitable activities. Processions, known as Rath Yatras, are often organized, where beautifully decorated idols of Lord Mahavir are carried through the streets in chariots, accompanied by devotees singing hymns and spreading the message of peace and non-violence. Giving to the needy and engaging in acts of service are considered particularly meritorious on this day, reflecting Lord Mahavir’s teachings on compassion and detachment from material wealth. Discourses by Jain monks and scholars are frequently organized to enlighten devotees on the principles of Jainism and their practical application in daily life.