Here is the simple difference:

1. Janam Kalyanak (जन्म कल्याणक)

• Meaning: The actual auspicious event of the Tirthankar’s birth.
• For example, Mahavir Janam Kalyanak = the day Bhagwan Mahavir actually took birth.
• It is one of the 5 Kalyanaks of a Tirthankar:

1. Garbh (conception) 2. Janam (birth) 3. Diksha (renunciation) 4. Kevalgyan (omniscience) 5. Nirvan (liberation)

• On this day, Jains celebrate with:

- Pujas, abhishek, snatra puja - Processions (rath yatra) - Pravachans, bhakti, etc.

• Both Śvetāmbars and Digambars celebrate Janam Kalyanak (though style/rituals differ).

---

2. Janam Vanchan (जन्म वाचन)

• Meaning: Literally “reading of the birth episode”.
• It is a ritual / program, not the original kalyanak itself.
• Mainly in Śvetāmbara tradition:

- During Paryushan, on a specific day (usually 5th day), the Kalpa Sūtra is read. - The part describing Bhagwan Mahavir’s garbh, Trishala Mata’s sapna (dreams), and janam is read aloud. - This is called Mahavir Janam Vanchan.

• It includes:

- Reading of the text (svādhyāy / pāṭh) - Cradle ceremony (jhula), celebration of birth, etc.

---

In one line:

• Janam Kalyanak = The real historical/spiritual event of a Tirthankar’s birth, whose tithi we celebrate every year.
• Janam Vanchan = The religious program/ritual where the story of that birth is read and narrated, mainly from scriptures like Kalpa Sūtra (especially in Śvetāmbara Paryushan).