Among all the Jain festivals Mahavir Jayanti is regarded as the most
important festival of the Jains. It celebrates the birth anniversary of
Mahavir. According to the Digambar school of Jainism, Lord Mahavira was
born in the year 615 BC, but the Swetambaras believe that He was born in
599 BC. Both sects however agree that he was the son of Siddhartha and
Trisala. Legend has it, that He was conceived by Devananda, wife of a
Brahmin named Rishabhdeva. The gods, ingeniously, transferred the embryo
to the womb of Trisala. It is said that the expectant mother had sixteen
auspicious dreams before the child was born (only 14 according to the
Swetambaras). Astrologers intepreting these dreams, stated that the
child would be either an emperor or a Teerthankar. This religious event
is largely observed by the Jains, by visiting sacred sites and
worshipping the Teerthankars. The event holds special significance in
Gujarat and Rajasthan, due to the ancient shrines at Girnar and Palitana
in Gujarat. Mahavira Jayanti is also celebrated at Parasnath temple in
Calcutta and at Pawapuri in Bihar.
Mahavir Jayanti, is celebrated during the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra,
festivities last for one day. Mahavir Jayanti occurs on the thirteenth
day of Chaitra, right around the time of the full moon. Chaitra is
equivalent to the months of March and April. The religion of Jainism
does not believe in God as a creator, survivor, and destroyer of the
universe. Jainism explains that eight types of vargana and five bodies
exist in the universe.
The eight Vargnas (matters) are:
