Answer

In Jain tradition, the birth of all Tirthankars is respected and remembered, not only Bhagwan Mahavir Swami’s birth.

However, Mahavir Jayanti is the most widely observed birth celebration today because Bhagwan Mahavir Swami is the 24th and last Tirthankar of the present time cycle, and his teachings are the direct basis of the present Jain sangh.

Explanation

For every Tirthankar, important events called Kalyanaks are honored. These include:

• Chyavan Kalyanak – conception
• Janma Kalyanak – birth
• Diksha Kalyanak – renunciation
• Keval Jnan Kalyanak – omniscience
• Nirvana Kalyanak – liberation

So the Janma Kalyanak of every Tirthankar is spiritually significant.

In temples and scriptures, the lives and Kalyanaks of many Tirthankars are remembered, especially during rituals, readings, and festivals. But in common public celebration, Bhagwan Mahavir Swami’s birth is especially prominent.

Spiritual Understanding

Jains do not worship Tirthankars because of their physical birth alone. Their birth is celebrated because they become great spiritual guides who show the path to liberation through:

• Right faith
• Right knowledge
• Right conduct
• Ahimsa
• Self-control

Takeaway

All Tirthankars’ births are sacred in Jain Dharma. Mahavir Swami’s birth is especially celebrated because he is the last Tirthankar of this era and the main guide of the present Jain tradition.