An 8yearold Indian girl has renounced a millionaire inheritance and joined a strict religious order of the Jain faith this week.
Devanshi Sanghvi inherited the jewelry business of Sanghvi and Sons in Surat, known as the “Diamond City” for its importance in the global gem trade. The company has a net worth of around US$60 million (over R$309 million).
The family this week announced the appointment of Devanshi, who went through a fourday ceremony until arriving this Wednesday (18th) in an elephantdrawn carriage at the temple, where he exchanged his luxurious attire for simple white cotton clothing. .
The child, who is known for his piety among members of the Jain community, “never watched TV, watched movies, or went to malls or restaurants,” said a person close to the family.
She is among the youngest to perform a “diksha” ceremony to give up material possessions and enter Jain monasticism. According to the local press, the parents said that the girl was in a hurry to convert.
Jainism, the religion to which the family belongs, was founded in 6thcentury India and advocates nonviolence, asceticism, veganism, and love for all creatures. It has more than 4 million fans in the country.
This religion is criticized for some of the ritual practices like extreme fasting.