KOCHI: The sound of bhajans merged with the clinging of bells creating a devout atmosphere at Mahajan Wadi Jain Temple in Mattanchery as the Jain community in Kochi celebrated Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (Mahavir Jayanti), the birthday of Mahavira, the last Thirthankara, on Wednesday. The celebrations started with Vargoda (chariot procession) in the morning with a large gathering of Jain followers participating in the procession.
It was followed by bhajans and pooja accompanied by sweet distribution at the temple at noon.
The celebrations reached the zenith as the temple came alive with lit lamps, aarathi, pooja and bhajans in the evening.
“Mahavir Jayanti is the celebration of Lord Mahavira’s birthday.
The celebrations denote the various stages of his life, namely Chyavan (conception), Janam (birth), Dhiksha (renunciation), Kevalnan (enlightenment) and Nirvan or Moksha.
This also falls under the Ambil fasting period.
We observe a fast from March 29 to April 6, during which our food will be non-spicy with no ghee, oil, vegetables or green fruits.
Only plain salted food is taken,” said the temple priest at Mahajan Wadi.
"This year's celebrations saw a considerably increase in the participation, right from the Bhaktamul Stothra performed in the morning to the Maha aarathi at night.
Moreover, more than 60 people are observing ambil this year as opposed to the usual limit of 30.
This makes this year's fete all the more auspicious and special," said Kishore Shamji Kurva, Managing Trustee of the temple.
“Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most important and widely celebrated Jain religious festivals.
It is a time when Lord Mahavira’s teachings are preached, bhajans are sung, sweets are distributed.
People also engage in a lot of charity work.
In some places, Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated on Thursday according to the position of the stars in the astrological calendar,” said Mukesh Jain, a member of the Jain community.
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