The birth anniversary of
the 24th and the last Tirthankara of the Jains,
Vardhman Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, is celebrated
by the Jain community in March. Born a prince
in 599 BC, Mahavir renounced worldly life at the
age of 30 and undertook austere penance until
he achieved realisation. He spread the message
of salvation to the world and had many followers.
Mahavir preached non-violence, prohibited any
kind of killing and taught his followers to seek
salvation through penance and abstinence.
They are also advised to donate money, clothes
and grain to the poor. The Jains are divided into
many sects of which the main ones are Digambaras
and Shvetambaras with the latter again divided
into Deravasis and Sthanakvasis.
He spread the message of salvation to the world
and had many followers. Mahavir preached non-violence,
prohibited any kind of killing and taught his
followers to seek salvation through penance and
abstinence. They are also advised to donate money,
clothes and grain to the poor. The Jains are divided
into many sects of whom the main ones are Digambaras
and Shvetambaras with the latter again divided
into Deravasis and Sthanakvasis. In Rajasthan
as in other parts of the country the Jain temples
are decorated with colored flags. Early in the
morning, the devout followers of Jainism are seen
taking a bath.
They then proceed to offer their prayers at the
Jain Temples. To the Jains, worshipping with one's
heart and soul is of greatest significance. They
do not lay too much unnecessary importance on
observance of rites and rituals. Any kind of opulence
and magnificence is always discouraged by the
Jain religious leaders and so the followers also
abstain from anything of this sort.
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