Mahavir Jayanti is the most auspicious day for the followers of Jainism and particularly the Digambars.
On Mahavir Jayanthi, Jain temples are decorated with flags. In the morning the idol of Mahavira is given a ceremonial bath called the Abhishek . It is then placed in a cradle and carried in a procession around the neighborhood. The devotees make offerings of milk, rice, fruit, incense, lamps and water to the Tirthankar. Some sections of the community even participate in a grand procession. Lectures are held to preach the path of virtue. People meditate and offer prayers. Donations are collected to save the cows from slaughter. Pilgrims from all parts of the country visit the ancient Jain Temples at Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat on this day.
The Namokar mantra is chanted every where. The Namokar Mantra and its meaning is given here:-
Namo Arihantanam -I bow in reverence to Arihants
Namo Siddhanam -I bow in reverence to Siddhas
Namo Ayariyanam -I bow in reverence to Acharyas
Namo Uvajjhayanam -I bow in reverence to Upadhyayas
Namo Loye Savva Sahunam -I bow in reverence to all Sadhus
Eso Panch Namoyaro -This five-fold salutation
Savva Pavappanasano -Destroys all sins
Mangalanam Cha Savvesim -And amongst all auspicious things
Padhamam Havai Mangalam -Is the most auspicious one
On Mahavir Jayanthi, Jain temples are decorated with flags. In the morning the idol of Mahavira is given a ceremonial bath called the Abhishek . It is then placed in a cradle and carried in a procession around the neighborhood. The devotees make offerings of milk, rice, fruit, incense, lamps and water to the Tirthankar. Some sections of the community even participate in a grand procession. Lectures are held to preach the path of virtue. People meditate and offer prayers. Donations are collected to save the cows from slaughter. Pilgrims from all parts of the country visit the ancient Jain Temples at Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat on this day.
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The Namokar mantra is chanted every where. The Namokar Mantra and its meaning is given here:-
Namo Arihantanam -I bow in reverence to Arihants
Namo Siddhanam -I bow in reverence to Siddhas
Namo Ayariyanam -I bow in reverence to Acharyas
Namo Uvajjhayanam -I bow in reverence to Upadhyayas
Namo Loye Savva Sahunam -I bow in reverence to all Sadhus
Eso Panch Namoyaro -This five-fold salutation
Savva Pavappanasano -Destroys all sins
Mangalanam Cha Savvesim -And amongst all auspicious things
Padhamam Havai Mangalam -Is the most auspicious one