Jainism is more than 5,000 years old. Jainism's last and 24th tirthankar (prophet) was Mahavir. His birthday, as determined by lunar calendar, falls on April 7, and will be observed in India as a national holiday called Mahavir Jayanti.

Mahavir was born to King Siddharth and Queen Trishala. Before his birth, his mother had 14 auspicious dreams, signifying that a great soul was going to be born. Mahavir was given the name Vardhman, and after his birth, his kingdom flourished tremendously.

Beginning with his childhood, Mahavir was renowned for his extreme physical and mental prowess, and strength of character. He was later known as Prince Mahavir, a great hero.

While growing up, memories of his previous life became vivid to him, and he became disenchanted with the world and turned profoundly philosophical.

At age 30, he renounced the world, and cast aside his clothes and ornaments. For 12 years, he meditated in a lonely forest, pondering over soul and other entities of the universe. At age 42, he attained supreme knowledge, beyond any attachment and aversion.

Over the next 30 years, he preached principles of Jainism all over India, called Bharat at that time.

Up until that time, all knowledge of Jainism was transmitted orally, because Jainism does not believe in accumulation of material things, including religious scriptures.

Mahavir restored faith in principles of Jainism as enunciated by 23 earlier tirthankars. His preachings were compiled into many texts called Agams. Centuries after Mahavir's nirvana, learned monks decided that all Jain oral preachings should be put in writing for posterity. These scriptures are in Prakrit, and translated into many languages.

Lord Mahavir attained nirvana on Oct. 15, 527 BCE. This is the basis of the Jain celebration of Diwali, Festival of Lights.

Since all Jain tirthankars were nude, their statues have iconographic symbols. Lord Mahavir's symbol is the lion.

In 2001, India issued special coins to commemorate the 2,600th birth anniversary of Mahavir.