Jain community celebrates birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir with religious devotion and social activities

Jains observed the 2622^NL birthday of Lord Mahavir on Sunday. The day was marked with religious processions, prayers and sermons. The day, also called ‘Mahavir Janma Kalyanak’, is one of the most important events in the Jain religious calendar.

Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24^e and the last tirthankar, or teacher, of the Jain faith, is believed to have been born on Trayodashi, or the 13th day) of the Shukla Paksha, the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra. This year the period corresponds to the period between April 20, 10:41 PM and April 22, 1:11 PM.

The Jain community in Mumbai celebrates Mahavir Jayanti with religious devotion and social activities

In Mumbai, the community observed the festival with religious rituals and processions in different parts of the city. As a community living by the principles of truth and non-violence, Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated with religious rituals at the derasars along with various social activities undertaken by various Jain sub-communities.

Derasars in the city saw a large number of devotees from morning onwards who joined rituals to mark the day. The Murtipujak communities celebrated the festival by performing abhishek of Mahavir’s idols at the temple, while the Sthanakvasi communities recited prayers as part of the celebrations.

The Jain community engages in social activities and philanthropy on anniversary day

Many community members observed ‘laadva prabhavna’ on this day, which included distributing sweets to express their happiness over the birth of the revered tirthankara. Jains also conducted various social activities as part of the anniversary, spreading festive cheer among people from other communities.

The Vardhaman Sthanakvasi Jain Sangh in Dadar organized a ‘chhash kendra’ to distribute buttermilk to save people from the scorching summer heat. Anil Dharod, managing trustee of the Dadar Sangh, said, “Every year we run this buttermilk center for 70 days and distribute around 2,000 glasses for free every day. As part of the social work to commemorate this festival, a member of our community also donated Rs. 51 lakhs to various organizations working in the field of education and medicine.”

Dombivali Jain Sanghs organize Grand Maharathyatra

The Dombivali Jain Sanghs held grand processions to observe the event. For the first time, the Shvetambar, Digambar and Terapanthi sects came together to organize the Maharathyatra in Dombivali (West), while seven sanghs from Dombivali (East) united to organize a procession that started early in the day from Pandurangwadi Derasar. The procession traveled through various derasars in Dombivali with tableaus, community flags and music bands of various Jain sanghs and ended at the Suvidhinath Derasar.

Mahendra Mehta, trustee of Neminath Shwetambar Murtipujak Tapagachha Jain Sangh Dombivali (West), said, “Under the leadership of Krutdarshi Vijayji and Kaladarshi Vijayji of Kalapurnasurishvarji sect, we had organized the Maharathyatra. To share the joy of our god’s birthday, we distributed sweets to everyone along the procession route. We have also organized a nine-day Ayambil Oli fast which is observed by checking the taste buds.

Published: Sunday, Apr 21, 2024 9:17 PM IST