Kolkata, April 14 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday extended heartiest greetings on the auspicious occasion of Mahavira Jayanti. In a tweet, Banerjee said, “My heartiest greetings on the auspicious occasion of Mahavira Jayanti.” “ May the teachings of the Lord guide all towards non-violence, truth, peace and ty in society,” she added. Celebrated by the Jain comm ty to observe peace, harmony and to spread the teachings of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, Mahavir Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of the founder of Jainism and is one of the most auspicious festivals for the Jain comm ty. Jainism lays focuses on world peace and harmony such that no or minimal harm is brought to living creatures. It was on the 13th day in the month of Chaitra that Mahavir was born in Kundalagrama in Bihar. He was born as the son of to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. His birth date, however, is sometimes debatable among the Swetambar Jains, according to whom he was born in 599 BC, while the Digambar Jains believe he took birth in 615 BC. BM KK