India, Republic, 2001 AD., 2600th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Mahavir commemorative, Mumbai mint, 5 Rupees, KM 304.

India, Republic, 2600th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Mahavir commemorative, Mumbai (Bombay) mint, 2001 AD., (issued on the on 25th April, 2002),
5 Rupees (23 mm / 8,77 g), copper-nickel, 9,07 g theor. mint weight, mintage ? , medal alignment ↑↑ (0°), security edge,
Obv.: भगवान महावीर 2600वाँ जन्म कल्याणक / BHAGWAN MAHAVIR 2600TH JANM KALYANAK / परस्परोपग्रहो जीवनम / 2001 , (2600 th birth of Lord Mahavira Kalyank / BHAGWAN MAHAVIR 2600TH JANM KALYANAK / “Parasparopagraho Jivanam” (in Sanskrit, meaning: All life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence) / 2001 ) , eight sided polygon in center, symbolizing the `Structure of Universe´. On the top end of this universe structure, a crescent with a dot inside and 3 dots below, symbolizing the `Siddha Shila´, an abode of infinite Siddhas (meaning one who has achieved perfection). Below the `Siddha Shila´ the holiest Swastika-symbol is shown. At the bottom a hand, with a wheel (Dharma Chakra) on the palm, with the word "Ahimsa" (meaning non-violence) in Devnagari. Namokar Mantra of eight sided shape with Swastika and hand and a wheel (a symbol of Jainism consisting of a hand and a wheel reading ahimsa, referring to the Jain vow of non-violence), diamond mint mark below date below.
Rev.: भारत INDIA / सत्यमेव जयते / रूपये 5 RUPEES , ("Bharat" INDIA / Satyameva Jayate" / "Rupaye" 5 RUPEES) , Ashoka Lion Capital in center, motto "Satyameva Jayate" below ( सत्यमेव जयते; literal Truth Alone Triumphs) is a mantra from the ancient Indian scripture Mundaka Upanishad, country name and denomination in Hindi and English. Edge rim irregularities at 5-9.
KM 304 .

Year / Mint Mark / Mintage / Mint
2001 ♦ ? Mumbai Mint
2001 ♦ ? Mumbai Mint, proof issue
2001 ° ? Noida Mint

minted year 2001 in 2 different mints. Mint mark below date:
♦ (small dot/diamond) = Mumbai
° (incuse dot in diamond = Noida)

Bhagwan Mahavir was born on the thirteenth day of the rising moon of Chaitra. The chronology accepted by all Jains places Mahavir's birth in 599 BC. This is the first coin in Modern India to commemorate Jainism / Jain Icons. In Jainism, Mahavir Jayanti, also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, is the most important religious holiday. It celebrates the birth of Mahavira, the last Tirthankara. On the Gregorian calendar, the holiday occurs either in March or April.

Mahavira was born into royalty as the son of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. During pregnancy, Trishala was believed to had a number of auspicious dreams, all signifying the coming of a great leader. The exact number of dreams differs according to the school of Jainism; Svetambaras generally believe that the actual number is fourteen while Digambaras claim sixteen instead. Regardless, the astrologers that interpreted these dreams claimed that the child would become either an emperor or a Tirthankar. It is said that when Trishala finally gave birth to Mahavira, the god-king Indra bathed the newborn himself with celestial milk, a ritual essentially marking him as a Tirthankar.

Jainism is an Indian religion. It prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Bhagwan Mahavir was 24th, and the last Tirthankar ("spiritual teacher") in Jainism. He was born in 599 BC. at Kshatriyakunda (Bihar) to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. Though he was a prince, he left his home at the age of 30 to become an ascetic. He performed a severe penance for twelve and a half years and then in 558 BC., he attained absolute enlightenment (a state of understanding ultimate truth). After this, he preached his first message for the attainment of selfpurification and selfperfection. The same path shown by him is followed today. In the year 527 BC. Bhagwan Mahavir attained Nirvana.

Jainism prescribes absolute pacifism and non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasizes self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved a state of supreme being is called Jina (Conqueror or Victor) or Arihant. Only a few souls that reach Arihant status become Thirthankars. Jains follow the teachings of 24 Tirthankars (i.e. those who have shown the way to salvation from the cycles of births and deaths). Apart from Thirthankars, Jains worship special Arihants such as Bahubali (also known as Gommateshvara) who was the second of one hundred sons of the first Tirthankara.
Numbering around 10mn worldwide, the Jain community and it's philosopy has profoundly influenced various aspects of Indian civilization. Today it is one of the most wealthiest and educated communities in modern India. It's adherents are identifiable though their unique and richly decorated temples, eating habits (strict vegetarians), business practices, literature, animal rights activism etc. The community is divided into four basic sects i.e Digambars and three types of Shvetambars based on conservatism and rigidity of interpretation apart from certain other minor factors; yet the basic tenets are all universally accepted.