The main Jain festival of the year is Mahavira Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism.

This is the birth anniversary of the 24th Tirthankara of the Jains, Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, is celebrated by the Jain community.

According to the Digambar school of Jainism, Lord Mahavira was born in the year 615 BC, but the Swetambaras believe that He was born in 599 BC.

Both sects however agree that he was the son of Siddhartha and Trisala. Legend has it, that He was conceived by Devananda, wife of a Brahmin named Rishabhdeva. The gods, ingeniously, transferred the embryo to the womb of Trisala. 

This religious event is largely observed by the Jains, by visiting sacred sites and worshipping the Teerthankars. 

Lectures are held to preach the path of virtue. People meditate and offer prayers. Donations are collected to save the cows from slaughter. On this day pilgrims from all parts of the country visit the ancient Jain shrines at Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat.

The event holds special significance in Gujarat and Rajasthan, due to the ancient shrines at Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat. Mahavira Jayanti is also celebrated at Parasnath temple in Calcutta and at Pawapuri in Bihar. Mahavir Jayanti is also celebrated with great pomp on Parasnath hill in Bihar. In Jaipur after special Puja, a procession is taken out. Annual Lakhi Mela is held at Mahavir Pilgrimage in Sehstravid 140 Km from Jaipur.