The Jain community celebrates the birth anniversary of the 24th and the last Tirthankara, Vardhman Mahavir, the founder of Jainism. On Mahavir Jayanti, 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 devotees make offerings of milk, rice, fruit, incense, lamps and water to the Tirthankar. Pilgrims from all parts of the country visit the ancient Jain Temples at Girnar and Palitana, in Gujarat, on this day.
Mahavir Jayanti usually falls in the month of March or April. Born a prince in 599 Be, Mahavir renounced worldly life at the age of 30 and undertook austere penance until he achieved enlightenment.
He spread the message of salvation to the world and had many followers. Mahavir preached non-violence, which prohibiting 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 further division of the latter into Deravasis and Sthanakvasis.
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.