Jain Festival Dates, 2015–2030

Updated July 6, 2023 | Infoplease Staff

For thousands around the world, Jainism is an important part of their spiritual life. As one of the most ancient religions in India (including Hindu) and founded by Nataputta Mahavira (also known as Vardhamana Jnatiputra) around 500 BC.

Seen as a spiritual contemporary of the Buddha, Mahavira was called the “Jina”, the Spiritual Conqueror, and followers of Jainism today still celebrate his principles and karmic doctrines through various festivals.

The following are dates through 2030 for such Jain Festivals as Paryushana-Parva, Mahavira Nirvana, and more.

Year	Sri Mahavir Jayanti	Akshaya Tritiya	Paryushana-Parva	Samvatsari	Anata-Chaturdasi	Kshamavani	Mahavira Nirvana
2015	April 1	April 21	Sept. 9	Sept. 18	Sept. 26	Sept. 5	Nov. 11
2016	April 19	May 8	Aug. 28	Sept. 5	Sept. 15	Sept. 5	Oct. 30
2017	April 8	April 28	Aug. 18	Aug. 25	Sept. 5	Sept. 5	Oct. 19
2018	March 29	April 18	Sept. 7	Sept. 13	Sept. 23	Sept. 5	Nov. 6
2019	April 17	May 7	Aug. 27	Sept. 3	Sept. 12	Sept. 5	Oct. 27
2020	April 6	April 26	Aug. 15	Aug. 22	Sept. 31	Sept. 5	Nov. 14
2021	April 25	May 14	Sept. 4	Sept. 10	Sept. 19	Sept. 5	Nov. 4
2022	April 14	May 3	Aug. 24	Aug. 31	Sept. 9	Sept. 5	Oct. 24
2023	April 3	April 22	Sept. 11	Sept. 19	Sept. 28	Sept. 5	Nov. 12
2024	April 21	May 10	Aug. 30	Sept. 7	Sept. 16	Sept. 5	Nov. 1
2025	April 10	April 30	August 21	Aug. 27	Sept. 6	Sept. 5	Oct. 21
2026	March 30	April 19	Sept. 8	Sept. 15	Sept. 25	Sept. 5	Nov. 6
2027	April 18	May 9	Aug. 27	Sept. 4	Sept. 14	Sept. 5	Oct. 29
2028	April 7	April 27	Aug. 16	Aug. 24	Sept. 2	Sept. 5	Oct. 17
2029	April 26	May 16	Sept. 4	Sept. 12	Sept. 21	Sept. 5	Nov. 5
2030	April 16	May 5	Aug. 24	Sept. 1	Sept. 10	Sept. 5	Oct. 26

How Many Festivals Does Jainism Have?

The Jain calendar includes many holidays and celebrations. And most of them revolve around the five main life events of one of Jainism’s major spiritual teachers or Tirthankaras, Panch Kalyanaka. These five events include Tirthankara’s arrival during his mother’s pregnancy, his birth, renunciation, gaining omniscience, and his final emancipation.

And while there are many festivals, several stand out as important dates for the Jain community to celebrate according to these life events, including:

Mahavir Jayanti

As the name might hint, this is a celebration of the birth of Jainism’s founder, Lord Mahavira. It falls on the month of the rising moon as temples raise a vibrant, saffron-colored flag high and bathe the founder’s statues in milk in preparation for a joyful parade.

Gyana Panchami

This festival celebrates the gaining of greater wisdom, both for Jainist spiritual predecessors, and for the faithful public themselves. “Gyan” refers to an inner light or spirit, as well as a third eye, leading celebrants to seek deeper knowledge of others and themselves.

Diwali

Like other Indian religions, Diwali is an important part of the annual calendar, and ushers in the new year. For Jainists, this holiday represents a time to give thanks for abundance and make offerings (or puja) to the goddess of riches, called Laksmi. It is also when Jains celebrate the Nirvana of Mahavira.

The day after Diwali is the official New Year for Jainists and also coincides with the actual day when Gautam Swami, Mahavira’s primary disciple, gained ultimate wisdom and omniscience.

Navapad Oli

Twice a year, in the period of March to April and September to October, faithful Jainists join together in fasting for nine days. This is also known as Siddha Chakra, when participants only eat one simple meal per day before sunset, paired with prayer and meditation.

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Major Holidays

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