Mahavir Jayanti is a popular festival of Jainism. Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Mahavir. Lord Mahavir was the last Tirthankara. He devoted his entire life to promoting Ahinsa (non-violence). This festival comes in the month of March-April according to the Hindu calendar. This festival is celebrated on Trayodashi of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month of Hindu calendar. It will be celebrated in the year 2020 on Monday 06 April.

Lord Mahavir, whose incarnation took place on the holy land of India, to remove evil thoughts from the mind of human and to make every non-living and living worthy of his welfare. Lord Mahavir was born in the royal family. His father's name was King Siddhartha and mother's name was queen Trishla. But since childhood, he did not have any attraction towards royal work or wealth etc. Mahavir's childhood name was Vardhaman. As a teenager, he once controlled a frantic elephant. Similarly, once a fierce snake had also controlled by him. That is why people started calling him Mahavir. He is also known as Mahavir because he has conquered his desires and senses during his childhood.

Vardhaman's mind used to flicker for public welfare all the time. At the age of just thirty, he left home. Mahavir did hard meditation and penance for twelve years. After that, he received Kaivalya knowledge. Then he preached Kaivalya Gyan and Satya Marg to the masses. Due to his simple teachings and practical knowledge, his devotees and disciples grew.

It is celebrated with great fervor in all Jain temples across the country. All temples and places of Lord Mahavir are decorated with flowers, flags etc. on this special festival. On this day, a traditional bath is given to the idol of Mahavir Swami before the ceremony and worship and a grand tableau or procession is taken out thereafter. On this day, there is a tradition of distributing clothes, food, rupees and other essential items to poor people. People visit Jain temples to meditate and worship. Some great Jain people give lectures in temples to spread the principles of Jainism to the people.