Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated as the anniversary of Vardhman Mahavir, the founder of Jain religion. The Digambar school of Jainism believes that Lord Mahavir was born in the year 615 BC, and the Swetambaras believe that He was born in 599 BC. Mahavir was the son of Siddharth and Trisala. Legend has it, that he was conceived by Devananda, wife of a Brahmin named Rishabhdeva. The gods were instrumental in transferring the embryo to the womb of Trisala. It is said that the Trisala had sixteen auspicious dreams before the child was born (only 14 according to the Swetambaras). Astrologers interpreting these dreams stated that the child would be either an emperor or a Teerthankar.
It is an important Jain festival and Jain devotees visit sacred sites and worship the Teerthankars or the religious gurus. The event holds special significance in Gujarat and Rajasthan, as the important holy places of Jains, Girnar and Palitana are there. Mahavira Jayanti is also celebrated at Parasnath temple in Calcutta and at Pawapuri in Bihar.

Where: All over the country, wherever Jains live.