Mahavir Jayanti 2028: Date, History & Significance

The day begins with the abhisheka (prakshal) of the Tirthankara image with water, milk, sandal and saffron, followed by the ashtaprakari puja, the reading of Mahavira's life (the five kalyanaks), and a rath yatra carrying the idol through the town. Temples are decorated, and Jains hear discourses on the teachings — ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha.

It is a day of charity and restraint rather than feasting: alms, food and medicine are given, animals are freed or ransomed from slaughter, and many keep a fast or eat only boiled, plain food. Digambara and Shvetambara communities keep the same day, with processions at Pawapuri, Girnar, Palitana, Shravanabelagola and the Dilwara and Ranakpur temples.

Vardhamana was born to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala of the Jnatrika clan at Kundagrama near Vaishali. Trishala saw sixteen (or fourteen) auspicious dreams before his birth; the kingdom prospered, so the child was called Vardhamana, 'the increasing'. At thirty he renounced everything, and after twelve years of severe austerity attained kevala jnana — omniscience — becoming a Jina and a Tirthankara, the 'ford-maker' who shows the way across the ocean of rebirth.

Source: Kalpa Sutra, Tattvartha Sutra and Jain conduct literature

Mahavira (traditionally 599–527 BCE, or c. 540–468 BCE by many scholars) was a senior contemporary of the Buddha; the Kalpa Sutra and the Acharanga give his life. The Jayanti has been kept for centuries and is a gazetted holiday in India.

• Kalpa Sutra, Tattvartha Sutra and Jain conduct literature
• Jain community tradition and temple practice

1. Temples perform abhishek of Mahavira's image, and a cradle with the infant Mahavira is rocked in celebration of his birth.
2. Rath yatras carry his image through the streets, with devotees singing bhajans.
3. The day is marked by charity: feeding the poor, donations to animal shelters and hospitals, and talks on ahimsa.

• Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar. Rath yatras and abhisheka at the great tirthas — Pawapuri, Palitana, Girnar, Shravanabelagola, Dilwara, Ranakpur.
• Jain diaspora. Temple worship, discourses on the five vows, charity and animal welfare drives.

• Sattvik feast — A festive meal without root vegetables, served at community gatherings.

Mahavir Jayanti is kept on the day when Trayodashi of Chaitra Shukla paksha prevails at sunrise. That day is Friday, 7 April 2028. Trayodashi holds at sunrise only on this day.

at sunrise

Mahavir Jayanti is Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi — the thirteenth tithi of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, in March or April, within Chaitra Navratri. The worship is done in the morning; the Gregorian date shifts within a lunar month each year.

A lunar date: Trayodashi of the bright half of Chaitra drifts about 11 days earlier each solar year, then jumps back ~19 days when a leap (Adhika) month is inserted.