Mahavir Jayanti
Nationwide public holiday in India
Dates
| Year | Date | Weekday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 31 March | Tuesday | Nationwide |
| 2027 | 18 April | Sunday | Nationwide |
Where it applies
Everywhere in India.
Is it a day off?
Yes. It is an official public holiday, so most employees have the day off. Government offices, schools and many businesses are usually closed; shops, restaurants and public transport may keep reduced hours. Check local announcements for opening times.
Make it longer
Take Friday 16 April off and get 5 days in a row (Wed 14 Apr – Sun 18 Apr).
Plan more breaks with the leave planner.
Typical weather in New Delhi around 18 April: high 39°C (103°F), low 23°C (74°F), rain on 11% of days.
Averages for 2015–2024, 3 days either side of the date, for the area around New Delhi. Past averages, not a forecast.
Forecast for Sunday 18 April in New Delhi: (MET Norway)
About Mahavir Jayanti
Mahavir Jayanti is the most important festival in Jainism, celebrating the birth of Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara, or spiritual teacher, of the current age in Jain tradition. It falls on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Chaitra. Mahavira's teachings emphasise non-violence, truthfulness and non-attachment.
Traditions
Jain communities visit temples, hold processions carrying an image of Mahavira, and perform ritual bathing of his image. Many spend the day in prayer, meditation and listening to sermons, and acts of charity are encouraged.
Editorial summary by Public Holidays World. Dates on this page come from the data source; customs vary by region and family.
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Holiday dates are for general information and can change. Official government announcements take precedence.