Mahavir Jayanti 2026
Mahavir Jayanti 2026 was on 31 March 2026 and on 26 April 2026. In 2027 it is on 19 April 2027 and on 15 May 2027. Mahavir Jayanti, the Janma Kalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara, is celebrated by all Jains on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi.
Mahavir Jayanti 2026 dates
| Observance | Date | Tithi | Tradition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahavir JayantiJanma Kalyanak (birth) of Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara | 31 March 2026TuesdayChaitra Shukla Trayodashi | Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi | Shwetambar and Digambar |
| Mahavir Swami KevalgyanKevalgyan Kalyanak: Bhagwan Mahavir attains omniscience | 26 April 2026SundayVaishakha Shukla Dashami | Vaishakha Shukla Dashami | Shwetambar and Digambar |
| Diwali (Mahavir Nirvan Kalyanak)Bhagwan Mahavir attains Nirvana at Pavapuri | 8 November 2026SundayAshwina Krishna Amavasya | Ashwina Krishna Amavasya | Shwetambar and Digambar |
Dates follow the udaya tithi (the tithi at sunrise), as Jain panchangs do. Gachchhas and sanghs sometimes differ by a day; follow your own sangh's announcement where it differs.
Bhagwan Mahavir
Vardhaman Mahavir was born in 599 BCE at Kshatriyakund near Vaishali, to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. At thirty he renounced his kingdom and took diksha, and after twelve and a half years of austerity he attained Kevalgyan (omniscience).
For thirty years he taught ahimsa (non-violence), anekantavada (many-sidedness) and aparigraha (non-possessiveness), and at seventy-two he attained Nirvana at Pavapuri on Diwali.
How Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated
Temples hold abhishek of Mahavir's idol and processions (shobha yatras) carry it through the streets. Devotees read about his life, give to charity and animal shelters, and many fast. Shwetambar Jains recall the fourteen dreams of Mata Trishala, Digambar Jains sixteen.
Mahavir's other kalyanaks
Mahavir's Kevalgyan Kalyanak, the day he attained omniscience on the bank of the Rijuvalika river, is Vaishakha Shukla Dashami. His Nirvan Kalyanak is Diwali, Kartika (Aso) Amavasya.
Frequently asked questions
When is Mahavir Jayanti in 2026?
Mahavir Jayanti 2026 is on 31 March 2026, Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi.
Is Mahavir Jayanti a public holiday?
Yes, it is a gazetted holiday in India. Banks and government offices are closed.
About This Content
Jain festival and parva tithi dates are calculated by the Vedic Tithi engine from the tithi at sunrise (udaya tithi) at your location; Paryushan and Samvatsari keep India's date. Our automated tests compare these dates with a leading published panchang for New Delhi, New York and Vancouver. Gachchhas and sanghs sometimes differ by a day, so follow your own sangh's announcement where it differs. If you spot an error, tell us and we will correct it.
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Last updated: October 2026