Today is the birth festival of Mahavir Swami

National Desk:
Today is Mahavir Jayanti.  According to the Swetambar Jains, Lord Mahavira was born in 599 BC.  While Digambar Jains believe that he was born in 615 BC.  Lord Mahavira was born in Vaishali, Bihar as the son of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala.  This day holds great significance for the Jain community as they follow Lord Mahavira and believe in his teachings of non-violence and peace.  Lord Mahavira taught people to renounce worldly pleasures and seek salvation.  He preached the five vows of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, purity and detachment.