Cherry Hill Jain Sangh

Lord Mahavir was the 24th and last Tirthankar of the Jain religion of this era. According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankars were human beings but they have attained a state of perfection or enlightenment through meditation and self-realization. They are Gods of Jains. The concept of God as a creator, protector, and destroyer of the universe does not exist in Jainism. Also, the idea of God's reincarnation as a human being to destroy demons is not accepted in Jainism. The name Mahavira means "Great Strength". His birth name is Vardhaman. Mahavirswami was born on the 13th day of the rising moon of Chaitra month, 599 B.C., in Bihar, India. This day falls in the month of April as per the English calendar. His birthday is celebrated as "Mahavir Jayanti". At the age of 72 (527 B.C.), Lord Mahavir attained nirvan and his purified soul left his body and achieved complete liberation. On the night of His Nirvan, people celebrated the Festival of Lights in His honor. This is the last day of the Hindu and Jain calendar year, known as "Diwali". Jainism existed before Mahavir, and his teachings were based on those of his predecessors. Thus, Mahavir was more a reformer and propagator of an existing religious order, than a founder of a new faith. He followed the well-established creed of his predecessor, Tirthankara Parshvanath. However, Mahavir did recognize the philosophical tenets of Jainism to coorespond to his times.