“Ahimsa Parmo Dharm..” – Celebrating the birth anniversary of the last Jain Tirthankara.

Creative wishes you all a Happy Mahavir Jayanti !!

Mahavir Jayanti, also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak,  is the religious festival celebrated by the Jain community to memorialize the birth of the Lord Mahavira. According to Jain mythology, Lord Mahavira was the 24th and the last Thirthankara.

Birth:
He was the son of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala born in 599 BCE . As said by the legend, the Lord Mahavira was bathed by the god-king Indra himself with celestial milk as it was a ritual that was to be followed when any Thirthankara is born.

History:
Lord Mahavira is said to be the founder and reformer of Jainism and it is said that he is the one who laid down the basic principles of Jainism. Lord Mahavira preached the philosophy to encourage Satya (truthfulness), Ahimsa (non-violence), Asatya (non-stealing of anyone else’s belongings, Bramhacharya (chastity) and Aparigraha (simple living).
Although he was married, he left his kingdom to seek out greater truth and attain Nirvana or Moksha. Before achieving Moksha he had to face a number of hardships in his life. He never complained about his difficulties as he said that all our sufferings are the result of the wrongdoings which we once done with others. Lord Mahavira insisted that we have to reap the seeds of what we did in our past life also.
Lord Mahavira died in 527 BC at the age of 72 to attain Nirvana and his body was cremated at Pawapuri, which was later on converted into a Jain temple (Jal Mandir).

Celebrations and Rituals:
This auspicious day of Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated by Jain community across the globe. On this day, Jain followers visit the temple or  bring home statues of Lord Mahavira and give it a bath called as Abhisheka. Also they perform various kinds of Puja and have fast on this day. As all the followers of the Mahavira wishes to seek blessings of him for prosperity, Jain temples are crowded with the devotees.
People remember the all the teachings of Lord Mahavira and also make promises that they will not hurt any living being in the future; knowingly and unknowingly. The struggles and difficulties faced by Lord Mahavira describe how great his individualism and his personality was.
The devotees perform the act of giving forms by Gyan Daan (spread the knowledge), Abhay Daan ( guard the good from evil), Aushad Daan ( offer medical help) or Ahaar Daan (feed the starved). This is the significant part of the celebration.

Celebration at Creative:
Creative team celebrate this festival by worshipping the Lord Mahavira at office. Donations are collected in order to promote charitable missions like helping to feed poor people or help to some orphan children.

Everyone must try to follow the principles urged by the Lord Mahavira and cherishes the simplicity in life.