New Delhi | Jagran Lifestyle Desk: People across the country will celebrate one of the most vibrant festivals of India, Mahavir Jayanti today. Mahavir Jayanti, which is observed with a lot of zeal and ethusiasm, is is observed to celebrate the 24th and Tirthankara of Jainism -- Lord Mahavir.
The festival is celebrated by the Jains to observe peace and harmony and spread the teaching of the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. On this auspicious day, Jains worship Lord Mahavir read religious rhymes and seek his blessings for a healthy and prosperous life.
Mahavir Jayanti is usually celebrated during the month of March or April as per Gregorian calendar. This year, it will be celebrated on April 6.
Who was Lord Mahavir?
Lord Mahavir was the 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism. He was born on the thirteenth day of rising moon of Chaitra month at Bihar in India. He was born at a royal family and was given the name of Vardhaman because of increased prosperity in the Kingdom during his birth. At the age of 30, Lord Mahavir left his home and abandoned all worldly possessions and practiced intense meditation for the next 12 years to seek salvation.
Also Read | Mahavir Jayanti 2020: Date, history and significance of Jain festival
He later understood the perfect perception and got knowledge and spent the next 30 years of his life, teaching cycle of life across the world. The 24th Tirthankara of Jainism preached that right faith (samyak-darshana), right knowledge (samyak-jnana), and right conduct (samyak-charitra) together is the real path to attain the liberation of one’s self. It is believed that he attained salvation in the 6th century BC.
What were the teachings of Lord Mahavir?
Also Read | Mahavir Jayanti 2020: Ten unknown and interesting facts about this festival
After understanding the cycle of life, Lord Mahavir taught people about ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity), and aparigraha (non-attachment) and said that the principles of Anekantavada (many-sided reality): syadvada and nayavada are necessary for spiritual liberation.