Mahavir Janma Kalyanak

Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is a festival celebrating the birth anniversary of the twenty-fourth Tirthankara Mahavir, Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. It is also called the Mahavir Jayanti and the Birth Anniversary of Lord Mahavira. It is one of the most important festivals of the Jain religion and takes place in the spring. About six million people worldwide practice Jainism, although less than 2 percent of the population of India, where the largest number of practitioners is found, follows the religion.

Background

Lord Mahavira was born in Kundagram, modern-day Bangladesh, on the thirteenth day in the month of Chaitra on the Hindu calendar in either 599 BCE or 615 BCE. His parents were the king and queen of Kundagram, Siddhartha and Trishala. During her pregnancy, the queen had many dreams indicating that her son would be an important figure. He was named Vardhamana, which means “one that flourishes endlessly,” because the kingdom entered a time of great fortune upon his birth.

When he was thirty years old, he gave up all his worldly possessions and sought spiritual enlightenment. For about twelve years, he meditated and lived simply. He eventually attained enlightenment, or Kaivalya. He taught that all living things, including plants and animals, have souls and deserve equal compassion and respect. His main follower, Indrabhuti Gautama, compiled Mahavir’s teachings. These texts are known as the Agamas.

Jains believe in reincarnation, a continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The goal of Jainism is ultimate liberation, or moksa, which is the soul’s escape from the reincarnation cycle. It is achieved when it is free of karma. Karma is a category of fine physical matter that is generated by any activity or thought. For example, a positive action or thought produces positive karma. The 148 types of karma may be positive or negative and affect the body and soul. Karma binds to the embodied soul, obscuring its nature. Positive karmas result in rebirth as a human. Negative karmas result in rebirth as a being in hell or one with limited reason, such as an insect. Karmas from previous lives continue to shape the soul but can be removed by following Jain teachings. Those who free themselves from karma are teachers known as Jina. Representations of these divine beings in art always include a diamond-shaped emblem, or Srivatsa meaning “beloved of fortune,” on the chest. Jina are not worshiped, but images of these teachers are meant to remind others to follow their example.

Jainism does not worship a deity or spiritual being but follows five great vows, or mahavratas. The primary belief is nonviolence, or ahimsa. The other four mahavratas are non-attachment to possessions, not lying, not stealing, and practicing celibacy or, if that is not possible, sexual restraint. The three main principles, called the three jewels, are right belief, right knowledge, and right conduct.

Jains are strict vegetarians and also do not eat onions or garlic. They are charged with living in a way that minimally uses resources. The religion does not have priests, although it does have monks (sadhus) and nuns (sadhvis). The latter outnumber monks by four to one. Orthodox Jain monks and nuns show their reverence for all life in several ways. They wear cloth masks over their faces to ensure that they do not accidentally inhale any tiny flying insects. They are well-known for their practice of sweeping the ground in front of their feet as they walk to avoid crushing any living thing.

Typically, Jains avoid actions that could inadvertently cause harm to living creatures. This includes farming or any act that disturbs the soil, because worms and other creatures are harmed. They do not walk on the grass. Most live in cities, where these actions are not common. Jains are not to eat at night because tiny living creatures could be attracted by light and might fall into their food. They avoid eating or drinking any fermented foods because the fermentation process kills many microorganisms. Most do not eat honey because collecting it may harm the bees. Fruits and vegetables produced by plants may be removed and consumed because this has minimal impact on the plants, and the fruits and vegetables will eventually wither and die anyway. Jains are to eat only what is necessary to support health and human life. Food must be eaten on the day it is prepared, because overnight bacteria, yeasts, and other microorganisms may have multiplied. Many Jains are strictly vegan, although adherence to dining restrictions varies.

Overview

Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is a national festival in India and the only Jain festival officially recognized. Government offices, schools, and banks are closed, as are shops and businesses operated by Jains. The festival is observed by Jains of all sects, all around the world during the Chaitra month, which in the Gregorian calendar falls in March or April. Some of the largest celebrations take place in Dilwara, Gomateshwara, Ranakpur, Shikharji, and Sonagiri.

Practices that take place during the festival provide a retelling of the birth of Mahavir. This includes his conception, dreams his mother had that indicated his importance, and his birth. The Svetambara sect recognizes fourteen dreams, while the Digambaras reference sixteen dreams. These are represented in their respective temples on silver or gold plaques.

Jains begin the day by cleaning the idol of Mahavir with perfumed water and/or milk, according to the sect’s beliefs, in a ceremony called abhisheka. This represents the holy bath that the gods gave to the newborn infant. They rock the idol in a cradle and make offerings of milk, rice, and fruits. The temples are decorated with flags and flowers. During the celebration, monks and the faithful carry idols of Mahavir on chariots through town as people line the streets or follow, chanting religious rhymes known as stavans or bhajans. These processions may include drummers, elephants, and horses. In many communities, Jains pray, fast, and do charitable works, such as giving clothing, food, and money to the poor. Some communities prepare community meals for the poor. Many Jains go to a temple for services, prayer, and meditation.

Vegetarian foods for the festival are prepared that day, in keeping with Jain custom. These do not contain any root vegetables because many Jain believe tubers and bulbs, or any plant part grown underground, are living creatures, and pulling them out of the ground both kills them and disturbs microorganisms in the soil. Some sects avoid eating green vegetables during festivals. Traditional Jain recipes include dal makhana and other dishes made with lentils, deep-fried breads, rice dishes, sweet fritters, tapioca pudding, and yogurt, although many Jain do not consume dairy or eggs.

Bibliography

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“Mahavir Jayanti 2020: Importance, History and Significance of the Jain Festival.” India, 5 Apr. 2020, www.india.com/festivals-events/mahavir-jayanti-2020-importance-history-and-significance-of-the-jain-festival-3632977/. Accessed 1 May 2024.

“Mahavir Jayanti 2020: Significance and History of the Day.” Hindustan Times, 6 Apr. 2020, www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/mahavir-jayanti-2020-significance-and-history-of-the-day/story-1N0ubuzJ8xtzHS1HFe0Y3I.html. Accessed 1 May 2024.

Shetty, Sneha. “All You Need to Know About How Mahavir Jayanti Is Celebrated in India.” India, 19 Apr. 2016, www.india.com/travel/articles/all-you-need-to-know-about-how-mahavir-jayanti-is-celebrated-in-india-3234803/. Accessed 1 May 2024.

“Who Is Mahavir? Why Is Mahavir Jayanti Celebrated?” India Today, 29 Mar. 2018, www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/culture/story/who-is-mahavir-why-is-mahavir-jayanti-celebrated-1200290-2018-03-29. Accessed 1 May 2024.