Mahavir Jayanti 2022: Know The Tithi, Rituals, And Donations To Make

Mahavir Jayanti stands for one of the most fundamental beliefs of Jainism. Therefore, the day holds immense importance for the believers of Jainism as they celebrate the birth of the 24th Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir. Jains also call this day as Janma Kalyanak. And, people would celebrate Mahavir Jayanti 2022 around mid-April, according to the Gregorian calendar.

As per the Jain scripture and Hindu Panchang calendar, Bhagwan Mahavir was born on the 13th day of the bright half of the Moon in the Chaitra month in 599 BCE. Therefore, every year in different places of the globe, a divine procession of Rath Yatra is organized with Bhagwan Mahavir’s idol. Later the same day, the devotees pray at the temple and sing religious hymns. For the Jains, the day illustrates charity. Also, it motivates people to help the needy and promotes non-violence.

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Mahavir Jayanti 2022: Date and Tithi time

Mahavir Jayanti 2022 will occur on April 14. Around the globe, followers of Jainism shall celebrate this day to commemorate the teachings and life of the last Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir. 

According to the Hindu Panchang, Mahavir Jayanti falls every year on the Chaitra Maas Shukla Trayodashi Tithi, falling at sunrise. If the Trayodashi tithi extends up to 2 days or doesn’t fall during the sunrise, folks will celebrate the festival on the first day. 

Mahavir Jayanti Tithi: April 14, 2022 (Thursday)

Trayodashi Tithi Beginning: April 14, 2022, at 04:49 AM

Trayodashi Tithi Ending: April 15, 2022, at 03:55 AM 

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Mahavir Jayanti: The life history of Mahavir Swami

Bhagwan Mahavir was the last Tirthankar of the Jain religion. Moreover, believers and devotees call the Lord by different names like Vardhaman, Vir, Ativir, Sanmati, Veerprabhu, Gnatputra, and Mahavir. So, when it comes to Jainism, Bhagwan is specially mentioned. It is because Lord Mahavir was the one who established the majority ethics that form the Jain religion today.

Lord Mahavir’s teachings and philosophies inspire the devotees even today. Mahavir Swami was born and brought up in a royal family. However, he denounced everything to attain knowledge and enlightenment like Gautam Buddha. When he was born, his father named him Vardhaman Mahavir, which means— ever-increasing. It was because, at the time of his birth, the King attained prosperity intensely. King Siddharth attained growth and success in his endeavors. 

According to the Jain manuscripts, Mahavir Swami was born around 599 BC (roughly). Ahead, the scripts say that he took birth in the royal family of Kshatriyakund, a part of Vaishali. His father was King Siddharth, and his mother was Queen Trishala.

When the Queen was expecting with the Lord, she saw 16 auspicious dreams— Solah Swapna. It indicated the greatness and divines of the child that was to take birth. 

He never got allured by the materialistic pleasures and gains. Also, in his late 20s, he decided to become a monk. Thus, Lord Mahavir left all his possessions and attained seclusion to turn himself into a monk. 

After years of ascetic lifestyle and strict meditation, Mahavir Swami finally attained enlightenment (Keval Gyan) that made him Lord Mahavir. After the same, Bhawan Mahavir Swami preached what he learned and attained in life. Moreover, he spent the next 30 years of his life traveling all over the country to teach people the truth he realized during his meditation. Because of the same, many people, rich and poor, kings and queens got inspired and started following the religion— Jainism. 

The followers divided themselves into four categories: 

• Monk (Sadhu)
• Num (Sadhvi)
• Layman (Shravak)
• Laywoman (Shravika)

Around the age of 72, Bhagwan Mahavir attained complete liberation. This event in Jainism is called Nirvana. He became Siddha, a true consciousness who shall live forever in total bliss. Interestingly, the night of his salvation occurs on the auspicious festival of lights— Diwali.

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Dreams Trishala Mata saw during Vardhamaan’s birth

As we mentioned before, Queen Trishala saw 16 auspicious dreams. Each dream represented different objects and owned different meanings. They had their own significance and importance. In Jainism, devotees believe that prior to the birth of the Lord, the mother used to get these dreams. Let us see the Solah Swapana and its meaning:

1. Lion: Leadership
2. Goddess Lakshmi: Prosperity and wealth
3. Pair of jumping fishes: Alluring appearance
4. White elephant: Person with utterly great values and morals
5. Sun: High knowledge
6. Celestial palace: Spirituality
7. Bull: Renowned religious teacher who shall share peace and knowledge
8. Throne of diamonds and rubies: World preacher
9. Lake full of lotus flowers: Compassion
10. Garland: Admiration and popularity in society
11. A vessel full of gems: Wisdom and dignity
12. Residence of Nagendra: Clairvoyance
13. Mandara flowers: Courtesy and sympathy
14. Golden pot: Wealth
15. Rough Ocean: Infinite attainment
16. Full Moon: Support and peace

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Teachings of Lord Mahavir

Jains are known as non-violent folks. They follow the teachings of Lord Mahavir and believe in an ascetic lifestyle. Not just this, they follow the path of non-violence, thus promoting the slogan— Ahinsa Parmo Dharma. So, let us give a glance at the teachings of Lord Mahavir:

• Ahimsa or non-violence: Don’t cause harm to living beings
• Asatya or no stealing: Don’t possess things that are not yours
• Satya or truthfulness: Speak truth all the time
• Brahmacharya or chastity: Avoid yourself from sensual pleasures
• Aparigraha or non-attachment: Refrain yourself from materialistic objects

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Mahavir Jayanti 2022: Ways to celebrate the festival

For the Jains, the day holds immense importance. Here we have a list of ways you can celebrate Mahavir Jayanti 2022:

• Many Jains celebrate the festival by observing fasts. Also, all of them offer prayers to Lord Mahavir throughout the day. 
• Devotees also involve themselves in meditation and perform Jaap mala. 
• Lord Mahavir’s teachings were full renunciation, love, virtue, modesty, compassion, and resistance. On Mahavir Jayanti, people contemplate these messages on this day. 
• Rath Yatra or processions are also ordered to spread Lord Mahavir’s teachings. Also, on a chariot, the idol of Lord Mahavir is carried. Jains worship the chariot and perform Arti of the idol on the Rath, showing their devotion.
• In states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Easter Bihar, people celebrate the day with immense rejoice and on a large scale. Praisers decorate the temple, and almost for a week, devotees organize different functions to illustrate their devotion to Bhagwan Mahavir.

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Mahavir Jayanti 2022: Rituals to follow

Followers carry the festivities connected with Mahavir Jayanti with many rituals. Let us give a glance at the most prominent ones:

• Worshipers start their day with a traditional bath or Snana for the Abhishek of Bhagwan Mahavir with holy water and fragrance-infused oils.
• Also, the worshipers decorate the temples with the chariot that carries Lord Mahavir. 
• Some devotees keep fast to seek the blessings of Mahavir Swami and rejoice during the Rath Yatra. 
• Also, the devotees organize bhajans, Sandhya Arti, and celebrations like these the whole day with other religious activities. 
• People also prepare delicious food and especially sweets as prominent delicacies to celebrate the birth of Mahavir Swami. 

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Donations to do on Mahavir Jayanti 2022

Jainism is all about following the path of non-violence and charity. And for the same, people perform the following donations/daan. Let us see them in detail:

• Abhay Daan: Prevent folks from bad actions 
• Gyaan Daan: Share wisdom and knowledge
• Aushad Daan: Offer medicines to the poor and needy
• Ahaar Daan: Donate food to the needy and poor.

Humanism is another thing that Jainism promotes to the core. On this day, Jains also promote the lessons of humanity. Also, they spread the message that everybody has to go ahead with their individual journey and face ups and downs in life. 

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