Mahavir Jayanti 2025: When is Mahavir Jayanti? Know the correct date, Trayodashi tithi, history, and significance

For Jains all over the world, Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most important festivals and days to observe. It celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last Jain Tirthankara, who forwarded the ethos of non-violence, truth, compassion for all, and more. He succeeded Parshvanatha.And to mark the day and festival, Jains around the world observe prayers, do charitable acts, and the likes.In 2025, Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated on Thursday, April 10. According to Drik Panchang, “Mahavir Jayanti on Thursday, April 10, 2025Trayodashi Tithi Begins - 10:55 PM on Apr 09, 2025Trayodashi Tithi Ends - 01:00 AM on Apr 11, 2025”. As the Trayodashi tithi begins late at night, the observance of the festival will start the next day, April 10. And according to calculations, this is the 2623rd anniversary of Lord Mahavir. Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated on the Trayodashi of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra month because it is believed that Lord Mahavir was born on this very day over 2600 years ago.Lord Mahavir was born in a royal family, the son of King Siddhartha, his mother was Queen Trishala, and his birth name was Vardhaman. According to Jain scriptures, Queen Trishala had 16 auspicious dreams before the birth of Lord Mahavir, and their interpretations were that the child would grow up to become a great spiritual leader. But born into a royal family, Vardhamana grew up with all the comforts of royalty, but from a young age, showed a leaning towards spirituality. At the age of 30, he renounced his royal life, left behind all material possessions, and chose the path of asceticism. It is said that for 12 years, he practiced intense meditation, non-violence, fasting, and silence, and then attained Keval Jnana, or infinite knowledge, becoming a Tirthankara.Lord Mahavir spent his life spreading the message of truth, peace, and compassion, and eventually attained Moksha. Lord Mahavir's teachings are a part of the foundation of Jain philosophy. Lord Mahavir taught people to walk on the path of non violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possessiveness. He wanted people to live a life on terms with Ahimsa, which means not causing harm to any living being even in thought or intention. Then there is Satya, which means staying truthful and kind with words. There is Asteya, which tells people to not steal or take something which isn’t offered to them, Brahmacharya, which means living a life of celibacy, in control of your desires, and the Aparigraha, which means avoiding attachment to material things.Mahavir Jayanti is not just a celebration of Lord Mahavir’s birth, but is also observed as a day of quiet, calm, and the time for reflection over the mistakes of the past that should not be repeated. People think back about their actions and if they were in sync with the principles of Jainism, and ask for forgiveness for the wrongdoings.Devotees try to live a life of minimalism and non-possessiveness and make sure to follow the teachings of Lord Mahavir as much as possible. Mahavir Jayanti celebrations are devoid of any pomp and show, and are quiet and calm in nature. People visit temples dedicated to Lord Mahavir and meditate in their memory, talking about their teachings. In some temples, there is also an Abhishekam and puja, where Lord Mahavir’s idol is covered with milk, water, rose petals, chandan, and more.And one of the most important parts of Mahavir Jayanti is the Seva, or charitable acts people engage in. Some people organise health camps, or food stalls, and the likes.