Mahavira also known as Vardhamana was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. He was the spiritual successor of 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanatha.
Mahavira was born in the early part of the 6th century BC into a royal Jain family in Bihar, India. His mother's name was Trishala and father's name was Siddhartha. They were lay devotees of Parshvanatha.

Mahavira abandoned all worldly possessions at the age of about 30 and left home in pursuit of spiritual awakening, becoming an ascetic. Mahavira practiced intense meditation and severe austerities for 12 and half years, after which he attained Kevala Gyan (omniscience). He preached for 30 years and attained Moksha (salvation) in the 6th century BC, although the year varies by sect.