Mahavir Jayanti

Lord Mahavira, Jainism’s 24th and last Tiranthakara (prophet) was born most probably in the year 599 BC. Therefore, according to my calculations, if we add 2015 (the current Christian year) and 599 together, we arrive at the figure 2614.  Hence Mahavir Swami was born 2614 years ago.
The exact month and date are given in the Jain scriptures as the thirteenth day of the bright half (ie when the moon was waxing) of the month of Chaitra. In the European calendar, this usually falls in the month of April.
The festival to commemorate this, known as Mahavir Jayanti is an occasion for great celebration. Jains gather together to hear Mahavira’s message of Ahimsa (non-violence in the strictest possible sense), Satya (adhering to speaking of truth), Prem (love) and Karuna (kindness) expounded, so that they can follow his teachings and emulate his example.
In India, Jains celebrate this religious event by visiting sacred sites and worshipping the Tirthankaras.
We in the UK cannot easily visit sacred sites like Shatrunjay (near Palitana), Sammetshikhar, Pavapuri, Girnar etc therefore we celebrate Mahavir Jayanti locally at Jain temples and assembly halls by singing prayers and exchanging good wishes on or around the day of Mahavira’s birth.
This year Mahavir Jayanti fell on 2 April. We, the members of Shree Jain Sangh East London and Essex, will celebrate Mahavir Jayanti on Sunday, 12th April, at the Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha Hall in Leyton, East London.
Dinesh Sheth
Newbury Park, Ilford
General Secretary
Shree Jain Sangh
East London & Essex