November 2026: Mahavir Nirvana, New Year & Kartik Tithis
In November 2026, the Jain calendar reaches its most luminous peak. While the world celebrates Diwali with fireworks, the Jain community observes it as Mahavir Nirvana DiwasтАФthe day our 24th Tirthankara attained ultimate liberation. This month is a transition from the darkness of ignorance to the light of Kevalgyan.
Mahavir Nirvana: Monday, November 9, 2026
On this day, Jains gather in temples early in the morning to offer the Nirvana Ladoo. It marks the moment Lord Mahavira broke the cycle of birth and death. Following this, Tuesday, November 10, marks the Jain New Year (Vir Nirvan Samvat 2553), a day to start new spiritual accounts.
The Five Days of Diwali in Jainism
The celebration extends beyond a single day, with each date holding a specific spiritual weight:
- Sunday, Nov 8, 2026: Dhanteras / Dhan Trayodashi. In Jainism, we worship the true 'Lakshmi'тАФthe wealth of spiritual merits and the virtues of Gautama Swami.
- Saturday, Nov 14, 2026: Gyan Panchami. The "Day of Knowledge." Devotees worship holy scriptures (Saraswati Pujan) and resolve to remove the Gyanavaraniya Karma that clouds our wisdom.
- Tuesday, Nov 24, 2026: Kartik Purnima. This is the official end of Chaturmas. The gates of the holy Shatrunjay (Palitana) pilgrimage reopen, and thousands of devotees embark on the sacred Yatra.
Ashtanhika Mahaparva (Nov 17 тАУ Nov 24)
Mid-November also hosts the Kartik Ashtanhika, an eight-day period where we meditate on the eternal statues of Nandishwar Dweep. It is a period of intense Bhakti and Nandishwar Vidhan prayers, closing the month with deep devotion.
Conclusion
The Jain Panchang for November 2026 is a celebration of light and liberation. As we transition into Vir Nirvan Samvat 2553, we carry the teachings of Lord Mahavira into a new year of spiritual growth and Ahimsa.