Significance
Mahavira attained nirvana at Pavapuri in Bihar at the age of seventy-two. Jain tradition records that kings and people present lit lamps that night, saying that since the light of knowledge had gone, they would make light of ordinary lamps; this is the Jain understanding of the origin of Diwali.
Jain tradition also holds that on that same night, Indrabhuti Gautam, Mahavira's chief ganadhara, attained kevala jnana (omniscience). His attachment to his master had been the last obstacle to his own enlightenment, and it fell away at the moment of Mahavira's liberation.
The night is thus one of loss and of attainment at once, and the traditional recitation moves from "Mahavir Swami kevalgyani, Gautam Swami chaar gyani" before midnight to "Mahavir Swami pohonchya nirvan, Gautam Swami upajyu kevalgyan" after.
The day following the new moon begins the Jain (Vir) new year, counted from the year of Mahavira's nirvana, and is marked by Gautam Swami's veneration and by the opening of new account books in many mercantile Jain communities.
How it is observed
- Fasting on the day of nirvana is widely observed, with many keeping a two-day fast spanning Chaturdashi and Amavasya.
- Nirvan ladu is offered in temples, and special puja and Nirvana Kand or Nirvanaladu recitation is performed.
- Lamps are lit in homes and temples in remembrance rather than as celebration.
- Late-night jap, meditation and recitation of the Navkar Mantra, continuing to and past midnight.
- Pilgrimage to Pavapuri, the site of the nirvana, by those able to travel.
- The following morning brings New Year greetings, veneration of Gautam Swami, and in business families the traditional opening of new ledgers.
At a Glance
- Lunar date
- Kartik Krishna Amavasya; the Jain New Year and Gautam Swami's kevala jnana follow on Kartik Shukla Pratipada
- Tradition
- Observed in both traditions