The term Jain is derived from 'Jina', or one who conquered enemies like attachment, passion, jealousy and so on. Jaina history began in the 6th century BC with Vardhamana, who is known as Mahavira (The Great Hero). He was the 24th and last Tirthankara of the current age of the world. Mahavira was a contemporary of Siddharata Gautama and was born in the same area, the lower Gangetic Plain.

Birth of Mahvira: Mahavira was born in the northern suburb of Vaishali, modern Basarh, called the Kshatriyekundagrama, the Basukunda of today in Magadha. His father, Siddhartha, belonged to the Naya clan, of Kashyapa Gotra, while his mother is said to have been Trishala or Priyakarini, a Vasishthi. The Shvetambaras believe that Mahavira was first conceived in the womb of a Brahmin lady Devananda but the foetus was later transferred to the womb of a Kshatriya lady, Trishala, by Harinegameshin, the Commander of God Indra, since Indra realised that no Tirthankaras were born of Brahmin Parents.

Life of Mahavira: According to the Digambara sect of the Jains, Mahavira remained a celibate throughout his life, while according to the Shvetambras, he married Yasodha and had a daughter called Priyadashana. At the age of thirty, Mahavira renounced wordly life and became a monk. For over a year he used one garment only but later he went about naked, kept no possesions, not even a bowl for food or for drinking water and performed rigorous austerities. He allowed insects to crawl on his body and even bite him. People often shouted at him and hit him because of his uncouth appearence. He meditated day and night and lived in various places - workshops, cremation and burial grounds, and under trees. Trying to avoid all sinful activities, he especially avoided injury to any kind of life, thus developing the doctrine of "ahimsa", non-violence. During his many wanderings, he endured abusive languages and physical injuries, always with patience and equanimity.

Kevalajnana, attainment of highest Knowledge: After tweleve years of severe, auterities which included many long fasting periods, during which he braved various setbacks both mental and physical, Varddhamana Mahavira obtained 'Kevalajnana', the highest knowledge.

Braving and wandering about during monsoons, in different towns and villages and preaching for thirty years, Mahvira obtained final Nirvana at Pava in Northern Bihar, at the age of 72 in 527 BC. The Jain Kalpauta says that on the night on which the ascetic Mahavira died, eighteen confederate kings of Kashi & Koshala, the nine Mallakis and the nine Lichchhavis instituted an illumination. This night is celebrated as Dipawali festivals by Jains.