“It is better to win over self than to win over a million enemies.”
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is one of the most important religious festivals in Jainism. It celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavir, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara (supreme preacher). The idol of Lord Mahavir is carried out on a chariot, in a procession called rath yatra. On the way (religious rhymes) are recited. Statues of Mahavir 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 Mahavir 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. Ahimsa runs and rallies preaching Lord Mahavir’s message of Ahiṃsā (non-violence) are taken out on this day. GD Goenka Public School, Rohini, Sector 9, wishes all on this day.