Mahavir Jayanti, also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, is a significant festival in Jainism that celebrates the birthday of Jina Mahavira, the 24th tirthankara. It is observed in India, particularly in states such as Bihar, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, and recurs every year in March or April, with the specific date for 2026 being March 31. The festival commemorates Mahavira's birth, who was born in 599 BC in Kundagram, present-day Bihar. Celebrations include a festive procession called Ratha Jatra, where Mahavira's idol is carried in a chariot, and rituals such as ceremonial baths and anointment. Jains engage in prayers, meditation, and charitable acts, emphasizing the principles of non-violence, truth, and spiritual liberation taught by Mahavira. The festival serves as a reminder of his teachings and contributions to Jain philosophy.