NEW DELHI, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The Jain community in India celebrated the Mahavir Jayanti religious festival Tuesday with much fervor to commemorate 2608th birthday of their 24th Tirthankar (prophet), Vardhamana Mahavir.

    The President, Vice-President and Prime Minister of India have greeted their fellow countrymen on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.     

    Mahavir Jayanti is widely celebrated around the world by Jain community. In India, the festival is more enthusiastically observed in states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar and Kolkata. Jains from all across India mostly throng the ancient Jain shrineslocated at Girnar and Palitana.

    The Jain temples all over India have been decorated with flags as part of celebrations and arrangements to take grand procession have been made.

    Jainism was founded in the 6th century BC. The foundation and formation of this religion rested on 24 Tirthankaras who arrived in the world to deliver the message of peace and tolerance, according to Jainism. The last of these great men was Vardhamana Mahavir.

    Lord Mahavir was born at Vaishali in Bihar, according to Jainism.

    In India it's a state holiday. India's stocks, bond and currency markets will remain closed Tuesday. Trading in markets will resume on Wednesday.

    Jains are in minority in India. According to census 2001 of India, there population in India is 4.22 million.