Bhagavan Mahavira is also known as Vardhamana. He was the 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism. Mahavira was born in the early 6th century BCE into a royal Jain family of ancient India. Mahavira abandoned all worldly possessions at the age of 30 and left home in pursuit of spiritual awakening, becoming an ascetic. Mahavira practiced intense meditation and severe austerities for twelve and a half years, after which he attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience). Mahavira taught that observance of the vows of ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity), and aparigraha (non-attachment) are necessary for spiritual liberation.
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is one of the most important religious festivals in Jainism. It celebrates the birth of Mahavira. On the day of Mahavira Jayanti, the idol of Mahavira is carried out on a chariot, in a procession called rath yatra. On the way stavans (religious rhymes) are recited. Statues of Mahavira are given a ceremonial anointment called the abhisheka. During the day, most members of the Jain community engage in some sort of charitable act, prayers, pujas, and vratas. Many devotees visit temples dedicated to Mahavira to meditate and offer prayers. Lectures by monks and nuns are held in temples to preach the path of virtue as defined by Jainism. Donations are collected in order to promote charitable missions like saving cows from slaughter or helping to feed poor people.
To bring Interfaith reconciliation a morning assembly was held on ‘Mahavira Jayanti ’ on Friday 19th April, 2024. The pupils of class 3 and 4 gave information on Mahavira Jayanti . They recited their parts in Hindi with clear pronunciation and confidence.
