Janma Kalyanak means the birth anniversary of a Tirthankara. In Jainism, there are 24 Tirthankaras who, in each cosmic cycle, reveal the path to liberation. Each Tirthankara has his own Janma Kalyanak (birth celebration) and temples or sanghas observe these anniversaries with puja, bhakti, fasting, and communal programs.

A few key points to keep in mind:

• There are differences between Digambara and Śvetāmbara traditions about calendars and exact observance dates. What is celebrated as a Janma Kalyanak can fall on different days in the two traditions, and the accompanying rituals can vary.
• Because the dates are set in local temple calendars and regional Jain communities, the exact day for a given Tirthankara’s Janma Kalyanak is best checked with your local Jain center or their published calendar.
• In practice, major Tirthankaras are honored widely across temples with special prayers (stavan), stories about their birth, and communal gatherings, but the specific date and sequence may differ regionally.

If you tell me which Tirthankara you are interested in (for example, the first Tirthankara Rishabhanatha, or Mahavira, etc.) and which tradition you follow (Digambar or Śvetāmbara), I can describe the customary observances for that Tirthankara’s Janma Kalyanak and give you a clear sense of the typical rituals and prayers involved.