The festival of Mahavir Jayanti is regarded as one of the main festival of the year by the Jains. This day is observed annually as an auspicious day and is kept as an official holiday for all. Feasting and celebration followed by prayer and mission works are also taken up as one of the significant part of the festival through the day by the entire communities of Jain.
Jains believe that Lord Mahavir the son of King Siddartha and Queen Trishala is the 24th incarnation of Lord Mahavira the founder of Jainism and so he is referred to as an Indian sage Vardhamana. Thus it was during his birthday that the birth of Lord Mahavira is commemorated in the name Mahavir Jayanti. Indeed he began a saintly man from then on there are lots of written records about his holiness and goodness in the holy book of Jains. Even as a king he gave up everything renounced his throne and other worldly possessions for the glory of God and spend twelve years as an ascetic. Depriving himself of his worldly human senses he set a great exemplary to overcome sin by penance and preach his entire life of spiritual freedom. Some of his teachings are non-violence and love for all living creatures. He is a man of great faith, hope and spiritual being, who have moved the minds of people, change society and brought many people to the right path of true of salvation. Today, you will find thousands of his followers following his path all over the world. His birth anniversary is also commemorated and known by thousands and millions of people all over the world. In Gujarat and Rajasthan you will find the celebration organised in the most grant way Jain temples are fully decorated with flags of colourful banners, donations are contributed to give alms to the poor people. Other donations besides charity work to save animals from slaughter and environment protection schemes area also conducted during this time of the year and so there are lots of good works happening during this festival.
Thus, in short Mahavir Jayanti is not only the festival of birth anniversary kept in memory of Lord Mahavira by Jains buts it's also a festival of giving alms to our own fellow beings who are in need of our help. So, we should always respect and know the festivals of every tribe and every religion whether be it for Muslim, Jains or Hindu's be it a religious one or a national it should be taken importance by everyone.