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 2024 it will be observed on 21st April (Sunday) and is a Gazetted holiday in India.
Mahavir Jayanti History and Significance
Mahavir Jayanti 2024 | 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 2024 | 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 2024 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’s Day | Mon | 01-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Lohri | Sat | 13-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Makar Sankranti | Sun | 14-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Pongal | Mon | 15-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti | Wed | 17-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Republic Day | Fri | 26-Jan | Gazetted Holiday |
| Losar | Sat | 10-Feb | Restricted Holiday |
| Basant Panchmi | Wed | 14-Feb | Restricted Holiday |
| Guru Ravidas Jayanti | Sat | 24-Feb | Gazetted Holiday |
| Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti | Wed | 6-Mar | Restricted Holiday |
| Mahashivratri | Fri | 8-Mar | Gazetted Holiday |
| Holi | Mon | 25-March | Gazetted Holiday |
| Good Friday | Fri | 29-Mar | Gazetted Holiday |
| Easter Day | Sun | 31-Mar | Restricted Holiday |
| Gudi Padwa | Tue | 9-Apr | Restricted Holiday |
| Eid-ul-Fitr | Wed | 10-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Vaisakhi (Vishu) | Sat | 13-Apr | Restricted Holiday |
| Rama Navami | Wed | 17-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Mahavir Jayanti | Sun | 21-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Rabindra Jayanti | Wed | 8-May | Restricted Holiday |
| Buddha Purnima (Vesak) | Thu | 23-May | Gazetted Holiday |
| Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) | Mon | 17-Jun | Restricted Holiday |
| Rath Yatra | Sun | 7-Jul | Gazetted Holiday |
| Muharram (Ashura) | Wed | 17-Jul | Gazetted Holiday |
| Independence Day | Thu | 15-Aug | Gazetted Holiday |
| Parsi New Year’s Day (Nauraz) | Thu | 15-Aug | Public Holiday |
| Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) | Mon | 19-Aug | Restricted Holiday |
| Janmashtami | Mon | 26-Aug | Restricted Holiday |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | Sat | 7-Sep | Restricted Holiday |
| Onam | Sun | 15-Sep | Restricted Holiday |
| Milad-un-Nabi or Id-e- Milad | Mon | 16-Sep | Gazetted Holiday |
| Gandhi Jayanti | Wed | 02-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Dussehra | Sat | 12-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Valmiki Jayanti | Thu | 17-Oct | Restricted Holiday |
| Karva Chauth | Sun | 20-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Dhanteras | Tue | 29-Oct | Restricted Holiday |
| Kali Puja | Thu | 31-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Halloween Day | Thu | 31-Oct | No Holiday |
| Diwali | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Lakshmi Puja | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Karnataka Rajyotsava | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Kerala Piravi | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Govardhan Puja | Sat | 2-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Bhai Dooj | Sun | 3-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Chhath Puja | Thu | 7-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | Fri | 15-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Christmas | Wed | 25-Dec | Public Holiday |
