Mahavir Jayanti 2024: Data, significance, wishes, and quotes

Mahavir Jayanti commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the revered figure considered the founder of Jainism. Also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, this festival holds significant religious importance in Jainism as it celebrates the birth of a prominent Tirthankara. Lord Mahavir, the 24th and final Tirthankara of the present Avasarpi?i, was born in the early 6th century BCE into a royal Kshatriya Jain family in ancient India, following the footsteps of the 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanatha.

Observed either in March or April each year according to the Gregorian calendar, this year, Mahavir Jayanti falls on April 4, 2023. At the age of around 30, Lord Mahavir renounced all worldly possessions and embarked on a spiritual journey. After 30 years of preaching, he attained Moksha, or liberation, in the 6th century BCE. The festival is celebrated across India with fervor, particularly within the Jain community.

The day typically begins with devotees waking up early for a holy bath before commencing their prayers. A procession called rath yatra sees the idol of Lord Mahavir carried out on a chariot, with religious rhymes recited along the way. The idols receive a ceremonial anointment known as abhisheka and are adorned with flowers, sweets, and fruits. Throughout the day, members of the Jain community partake in charitable acts, prayers, pujas, and vratas.

Many devotees visit Jain temples dedicated to Mahavir to meditate and offer their prayers, considering this day auspicious for new beginnings. It is believed that performing noble deeds, such as aiding the less fortunate, brings blessings from the lord. The festivity culminates in various well-wishes and messages of peace and goodwill exchanged among individuals and families.

Wishes for Mahavir Jayanti 2024

"Wishing you and your family a very happy Mahavir Jayanti. I pray that Lord Mahavir blesses you and your family with health, wealth, and happiness."

"On the auspicious day of Mahavir Jayanti, let's take the oath of maintaining peace, harmony, and equality. Wishing you and your family a very happy Mahavir Jayanti."

"This Mahavir Jayanti, may Lord Mahavir fill your life with happiness, and success, and may you get everything you desire for. Wishing you all a very Happy Mahavir Jayanti."

"This Mahavir Jayanti pledge to walk on the morals of Lord Mahavira and his teachings and watch your life change. Wishing you all Happy Mahavir Jayanti."

"May this Mahavir Jayanti, Lord Mahavira shows you the path of light in the dark and fill your life with brightness. Happy Mahavir Jayanti 2024!"

"I pray that Lord Mahvir bestows his blessings upon your family and may you have a great life ahead. Wish you a very Happy Mahavir Jayanti!

"Mahavir Jayanti greetings! On this auspicious day of Mahavir Jayanti, let's pray for peace and harmony for all humankind."

"Always follow the principles of Lord Mahavira. Warm wishes of Mahavir Jayanti to you and your family."

"On this holy occasion, let's keep aside all our grudges and become friends with every being. Happy Mahavir Jayanti to you!"

"Sending warm wishes on Mahavir Jayanti to you and your family. Happy Mahavir Jayanti 2024!"

"Happy Mahavir Jayanti 2024! May you always choose the path of kindness and righteousness."

"Lord Mahavira said, "Non-violence & kindness to living beings is kindness to oneself." This Mahavir Jayanti let's be kind to every being."

"This Mahavir Jayanti, let us pledge to walk on the path of non-violence. Happy Mahavir Jayanti 2024!"

"Wishing you all a very happy Mahavir Jayanti. May you receive your inner liberation this Mahavir Jayanti."

Top Quotes of Lord Mahavira

‘Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being.'

‘Do unto others as you would like to be done by. Injury or violence done by you to any life in any form, animal or human, is as harmful as it would be if caused to your own self.'

'Kill not, cause no pain. Non-violence is the greatest religion.'

'In happiness & suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self.'

'All breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away.'

'Live and allow others to live; hurt no one; life is dear to all living beings.'

'If you want to cultivate a habit, do it without any reservation, till it is firmly established. Until it is so confirmed that it becomes a part of your character, let there be no exception, no relaxation of effort.'

'All are my friends. I have no enemies.'

'Don't accumulate if you do not need. The excess of wealth in your hands is for the society, and you are the trustee for the same.'

'A soul can only achieve liberation by getting rid of all the karma attached to it.'

'A man is seated on top of a tree in the midst of a burning forest. He sees all living beings perish. But he doesn\'t realize that the same fate is soon to overtake him also. That man is fool.'

'Non-violence & kindness to living beings is kindness to oneself.'

'It is better to win over the self than to win over a million enemies.'

'One who neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, fire, water and vegetation disregards his own existence which is entwined with them.'

'All souls are equal and alike and have similar nature and qualities.'

'Karma is the root cause of birth and death, and these are said to be the source of misery. None can escape the effect of their own past karma.'