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Mahavira facts for kids

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Vardhaman Keezhakuyilkudi
Rock cut sculpture depicting Mahavira at Samanar Hills, Keezhakuyilkudi, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Mahavira (599 BC-527 BC), also known as 'Vardhaman', was 24th Jain Tirthankara (Teaching God). He was born in 599 BC in Bihar state of India. He revived the Jain Dharma with five moral teachings under broad headings of Non-violence(Ahimsa), Truthfulness (Satya), Non-stealing (Asteya), Control of senses including mind (Brahmacharya), and Non-possessiveness (Aparigraha). Mahavira preached that ahimsa (non-injury) is the supreme virtue. He is not the founder of Jain religion. He was preceded by 23 Thirthankaras. However, he was the last Tirthankara in the current time cycle.

Images for kids

  • Mahaveer

    Four sided sculpture depicting Mahavira (found during excavation at Kankali Tila, Mathura)

  • Ahinsa Sthal

    13 ft. 6 inches high single stone statue of Lord Mahavira at Ahinsa Sthal, New Delhi

  • Map of India during the 6th century BCE

    Ancient kingdoms and cities of India at the time of Mahavira

  • Painting of Mahavira meditating under a tree

    The āsana in which Mahavira attained omniscience

  • Large, white temple on the water

    Lord Mahavira's Jal Mandir (water temple) in Pawapuri, Bihar, India

  • Old illustrated manuscript

    Folio from the Kalpa Sūtra, 15th century

  • Statue of Mahavira in a meditative pose

    Mahavira iconography is distinguished by a lion stamped (or carved) beneath his feet; a Shrivatsa is on his chest.

  • Solitary Jina Kalugumalai

    Rock-cut sculpture of Mahavira in Kalugumalai Jain Beds, 8th century

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    Tallest known image of the seated Mahavira, Patnaganj

  • Mahavira, seated

    Temple relief of Mahavira, 14th century (Seattle Asian Art Museum)

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    Relief of Mahavira in Thirakoil, Tamil Nadu

  • Large outdoor statue of Mahavira, with a seated worshipper for scale

    16-foot, 2-inch stone statue of Mahavira in Ahinsa Sthal, Mehrauli, New Delhi

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    Mahavira statue in Cave 32 of the Ellora Caves

  • Jain temple at Ambapuram

    Mahavira inside cave in Ambapuram village, 7th century

  • Large temple

    Temple in Gajpanth

  • Large, low, grey temple

    Jain Temple, Lakkundi

  • Large temple, with people outside for scale

    Shri Mahavirji temple

  • Jain Temple -02 by Jain Center of Greater Phoenix (JCGP)

    Jain Center of Greater Phoenix

  • Jain Temple Oshwal Centre Pottersbar Hertfordshire UK ground

    Jain temple, Potters Bar

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Mahavira Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.