Mahavir Jayanti 2027 — How Many Days Until Mahavir Jayanti?

Name: Mahavir Jayanti
Location: India

About Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti celebrates the birth of Vardhamana Mahavira — the 24th and final Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) of Jainism — on the 13th day of the bright half of Chaitra in the Jain calendar, typically in March or April. Mahavira was born in 599 BCE in Vaishali (in present-day Bihar), into a royal family. He renounced his royal life at the age of 30 to become an ascetic.

After 12 years of intense meditation, fasting, and austerity, Mahavira attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) — complete knowledge and enlightenment. He then spent 30 years teaching the path of liberation based on the three jewels of Jainism: Samyak Darshan (right faith), Samyak Jnana (right knowledge), and Samyak Charitra (right conduct). He attained moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth) at Pavapuri, Bihar, at the age of 72.

Mahavir Jayanti is a gazetted national holiday in India. Celebrations include processions of Jain devotees carrying images of Mahavira, charitable activities, religious discourses, and temple visits. The five key principles taught by Mahavira — Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) — are central to Jain practice.

Mahavira was born in 599 BCE in Vaishali, Bihar — now a major pilgrimage site
He attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) after 12 years of ascetic meditation
Ahimsa (non-violence) is the first and most central principle of Jainism
There are approximately 4.5 million Jains in India, with significant communities worldwide
Mahavir Jayanti is a gazetted national public holiday in India

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Mahavir Jayanti?

Mahavir Jayanti falls on the 13th day of Chaitra in the Jain calendar — typically in March or April. The exact Gregorian date changes each year.

Who was Mahavira?

Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, born around 599 BCE in Bihar. He attained enlightenment after 12 years of ascetic practice and taught the path of liberation based on non-violence, truth, and non-attachment.

Is Mahavir Jayanti a public holiday in India?

Yes — Mahavir Jayanti is a gazetted national public holiday in India, observed across all states and union territories.