Diwali - Mahavir Nirvana

For Jains, Diwali carries a profound spiritual meaning as the remembrance of Lord Mahavira's nirvana. Jain tradition holds that Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara of the present era, attained final liberation at Pavapuri after completing his teaching life. His passing meant that the embodied teacher was no longer physically present, and lamps were lit as a symbol of preserving the light of his knowledge. The day therefore differs in emphasis from many Hindu Diwali narratives: it points toward liberation from karma, self-discipline, non-violence and the victory of inner knowledge over ignorance. Many Jains engage in prayer, scripture study and reflection rather than making material prosperity the centre of the observance. The following day is also associated in some Jain traditions with the beginning of a new year and renewed commitment to ethical living.

Diwali - Mahavir Nirvana is significant to the community that observes it and helps preserve religious, family and cultural continuity.

The night is kept with fasting and with the recitation that runs to the moment of the nirvana. Chopda pujan is done in Jain houses too, with Shri Gautam Swami's name written at the top of the new book. The next morning is Nutan Varsh, and Gautam Swami's raas is sung.

The same new moon on which Hindus invite Lakshmi and Bengal worships Kali, kept for an entirely different reason. Jain households in Gujarat and Rajasthan often keep both observances in the same house, and the Jain accounting year opens the following morning as the Gujarati one does.