Jain Guru at Mahavir Jayanti Gathering in Old Delhi

From the archive record

Begining of the Mahavir Jayanti programme in Filmistan Cinema at Sadar Bazar in Old Delhi where in a female devotee devotes a song to the Jain Guru. In Jainism, Mahavir Jayanti, also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, is the most important religious holiday. It celebrates the birth of Mahavira, the last Tirthankara. On the Gregorian calendar, the holiday occurs either in March or April. He was born on the thirteenth day of the rising moon of Chaitra. The chronology accepted by all Jains places Mahavir's birth in 599 BCE. Local statues of Mahavira are given a ceremonial bath called the abhisheka. During the day, many Jains engage in some sort of charitable act in the name of Mahavira while others travel to temples to meditate and offer prayers. Lectures are typically held in temples to preach