Mahavir Jayanti is a festival that is crucially important in the Jain religion. In fact, it is often described as the most important festival in the Jain calendar.
The Jains belong to the Jain religion, or Jainism. This is an Indian religion that seeks a path to spiritual enlightenment by means of a life that involves doing absolutely no harm to anyone - including animals. The Jain lifestyle also involves renunciation and a desire to find liberation from all that is evil. By living this lifestyle, Jains hope to attain true happiness. They are guided in the way that they live and worship by certain spiritual teachers, and they hold festivals to celebrate the lives of important teachers.
Mahavir Jayanti celebrates the birth of Mahavira, who was the last in the line of the Jain spiritual leaders and teachers. Jains celebrate this festival by visiting the Jain temple, praying, fasting, and focusing more than ever on their spiritual enlightenment.
Wikipedia link for Mahavir Jayanti: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavir_Jayanti
Laura