by Sunita Shah
Mahavir is the most important personality in the Jain religion, for he was the last in the line of 24 Tirthankars in the current time cycle.* Tirthankar means “Ford Maker” – so a Tirthankar is one who who has succeeded in crossing over life's stream of rebirths and has made a path for others to follow. Being the last of the 24 Tirthankars, Mahavir’s teachings are those that are followed by Jains today. However, the teachings are no different to those preached by all of the other Tirthankars that preceded Mahavir. Why do Jains celebrate Diwali?
