Interesting facts about the great sage Lord Mahavira

Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated by the Jain community, where different sects of Jains including Digambars, Shwetambars, Sthanak Vaasis and Tera Panthis come together to commemorate the occasion. On this day, Jains resolve to follow his doctrines. The main attraction of the day is the prayers and rituals organised in the Jain temples. On Mahavir Jayanti, Jains give the statue of their Lord, a ceremonial bath and carry out processions. The act of giving, is the main part of the occasion.

According to historical evidences, Mahavira was the 24th and last Thirthankara (Teaching God who preaches dharma) of the Jain religion, born in 599 BC to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala.  

He preached philosophy to encourage non-violence (Ahimsa), truthfulness (Satya), chastity (Bramacharya), non-stealing (Asatya) and simple living (Aparigraha). 

He was against all forms of killing and believed that the most virtuous life is spent meditating and fasting, as a man does not run the risk of injuring any life even unknowingly, by swallowing or treading upon insects.  

Mahavira was born soon after his mother had dreams that a great man is going to be born.

He is called by five different names like Vardhman, Veer, Ativeer, Mahaveer and Sanmati.

He received Diksha at the age of 30 and left family and kingdom to become a monk.

After 12 years of meditation under an Ashoka tree, he attained ultimate enlightenment. 

He stripped himself of all clothes and tore his hair out from roots as he was above all pain. Jains believe that Mahavira wore no clothes after that.

He died at the age of 72, attained moksha and the temple where he was cremated is called Jal Mandir. Jal Mandir is situated at Pawapuri, Bihar.