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The Mahavir Jayanti is a Jain festival and is celebrated every year on the birth anniversary of Mahavira, founder of Jainism. As per the information in the 'Digambara school of Jainism', birth of Lord Mahavira was in the year 615 BC, but the Swetambaras believe that is in 599 BC. But both of these agree on a point that Mahavira is the son of King Siddhartha and his wife Trisala.
It is also told that god ingeniously transferred the embryo in the Trisala's womb and the mother of Mahavira had 16 holy dreams before the birth of the child, these dreams are interpreted by astrologers as these were indicating that the child would be a Teerthankara or an emperor for sure.
On this religious occasion the Jain people visit the sacred sites and worship the Teerthankara. It is mainly seen in Gujarat and Rajasthan state of India, as there are ancient shrines at Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat. Also in Kolkata this festive of 'Mahavir Jayanti' is celebrated at Parasnath Temple and in Bihar state at Pawapuri.
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