Mahavira (Vardhamana)

At a glance

Position

24th of twenty-four

Emblem (Lanchhana)

Lion

Traditional colour

Golden

Mahavira (Vardhamana) is revered as the 24th Tirthankara — a ford-maker who, having conquered attachment and aversion, showed the path across the ocean of worldly existence. In Jain iconography the lion appears at the base of the image, allowing devotees to identify the Tirthankara.