Mumbai, April 10, 2025: The Jain community today celebrates Mahavir Jayanti, honoring the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara and a towering figure in Jainism. Observed on the 13th day of the waxing moon in the month of Chaitra, this auspicious occasion falls on Thursday this year, filling temples and homes with devotion, reflection, and acts of kindness. Across India, festivities kicked off at dawn with serene rituals. In Mumbai, the historic Shwetambar Jain Temple in Matunga saw hundreds gather for the ceremonial bathing of Lord Mahavir’s idol with water, milk, and saffrona tradition symbolizing purity and reverence.
Colorful processions wound through city streets, accompanied by rhythmic chants and banners proclaiming the Jain ethos of non-violence and truth. In Karnataka, where the festival is a public holiday, cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru buzzed with activity. Local Jain groups organized free meals for the needy, echoing Mahavir’s call for compassion.
“This day reminds us to live simply and help others,” said Priya Jain, a volunteer at a Bengaluru charity drive. Schools, colleges, and banks remained closed in the state, allowing families to join in the celebrations. The significance of Mahavir Jayanti 2025 was amplified by a special announcement from Ahmedabad, where a Jain cultural foundation unveiled plans for a digital archive of ancient scriptures. Set to launch later this year, the project aims to make Jain teachings accessible to younger generations globally, blending tradition with technology.
Financial hubs like Mumbai and Delhi paused as the BSE and NSE shut down for the day, while banks in states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Karnataka followed suit. Online banking, however, kept essential services running smoothly for those in need. Political figures joined the chorus of goodwill. Karnataka’s Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot praised Mahavir’s principles as a blueprint for a harmonious society, saying, “His vision of non-violence remains a powerful lesson for us all.
”Similar sentiments echoed from community leaders, who urged followers to embody the five vows non-violence, honesty, non-stealing, chastity, and detachment in daily life. As evening approaches, Jain families will light lamps and offer prayers, wrapping up a day that blends spiritual renewal with social good. From temple ceremonies to quiet meditations, Mahavir Jayanti 2025 shines as a testament to a legacy that began in 599 BCE and continues to inspire millions today.
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