One of the wealthiest people in India, the 8-year-old daughter of a diamond-rich family gave up her fortune and decided to become a nun.
The 8-year-old heir of the ‘Sanghvi and Sons’ jewelery located in Surat, known as the ‘city of diamonds’ in India, has been on the national agenda with his decision.
She Gave Up On Her Million Dollar Fortune
An 8-year-old girl named Devanshi Sanghvi, whose family is members of the ‘Jain faith’, an ancient Indian religion, decided to give up the multi-million dollar fortune from her family and become a nun.
4 DAY CEREMONY
Devanshi was admitted to the priesthood in a 4-day religious ceremony after announcing that she had renounced worldly pleasures.
In the footage broadcast on Indian television, the little girl, who came to the temple in a flashy car pulled by an elephant, changed the luxurious clothes she wore here with a white cotton dress.
NEVER WATCHED TELEVISION, DID NOT GO TO A RESTAURANT
A witness who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity at the ceremony stated that Devanshi was very religious even as a small child, adding, “Devanshi never watched TV or movies. He did not go to shopping malls or restaurants.”
According to local media, the family said their daughter had been attending temple ceremonies since they were young, and Devanshi was eager to become a Sister.
YOUNG PERSON ATTENDING THE CEREMONY
Devanshi made history as one of the youngest people to attend the ‘diksha’ ceremony to renounce all her possessions and enter the ‘Jain monkhood’.
According to ICRA, an Indian credit rating agency, the little girl’s family has a net worth of five billion rupees ($61 million).
A SOLID VEGETARIAN DIET, THEY BIND THEIR MOUTH WITH FABRIC
Jainism has more than four million followers in India, most of the believers are wealthy people like Devanshi’s family.
The belief includes a strict vegetarian diet. Some monks and nuns even cover their mouths with cloth to avoid accidentally swallowing insects.
IN THE FOCUS OF CRITICISM! CAUSED THE DEATH OF A 13-YEAR-OLD CHILD
According to the news in Hurriyet, some rituals of this belief, especially ‘death fasts’, have been the subject of discussion for years. In 2016, a 13-year-old girl died in a coma after two months of fasting.
While it was learned that the little girl was allowed to drink only 2 glasses of warm water per day during her fasting, the girl’s family faced the charge of manslaughter.
The allegations that the family forced their daughter to fast caused public anger. Police launched an investigation into the matter.
According to the Dailymail newspaper, families of the Jain faith encourage their children to enter monasticism to improve their social standing.
