Biharsharif: Thousands of Jain pilgrims from across the country and abroad assembled at Kundalpur village in Nalanda district to celebrate the 2624th birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th and final Tirthankara of Jainism.The two-day birth anniversary celebration, also known as Kundalpur Mahotsav, was inaugurated on Monday by state ministers Shrawan Kumar and Arun Shankar amid religious chants and rituals.A religious leader and organising committee official Vijay Jain said, “The timing carries extraordinary significance. Mahavir Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, falls on Tuesday. According to the traditional Panchang, the Trayodashi Tithi begins on March 30 at 7.09am and concludes on March 31 at 6.55am, meaning the two-day mahotsav straddles the precise lunar window of the Lord’s birth — making this year’s edition especially sacred to devotees of the Digambara Jain tradition.”Devotees participated in a ‘Shobha Yatra’, carrying a decorated chariot with Lord Mahavir’s idol through the village streets, accompanied by hymns, chants, and cultural performances. Students took part in mehndi, rangoli, and painting competions. Religious activities included Abhishek Shantidhara, bhajan-kirtan sessions led by Jain monks, and Guru Diksha ceremonies for spiritual initiation.Located near the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara ruins, Kundalpur reflects rich spiritual legacy of Jainism and Buddhism. The event, organised by the tourism department and Nalanda district administration. The Kundalpur Mahotsav has held state event status since 2017.
