Jain Monk Rewrites Religious History by Completing 423-Day Fast

A Jain monk created history by breaking 423 days of fasting done over a period of 494 days.

Shri Hansratna Vijayji Maharaj Saheb. (Courtesy: JainIndia.com’s Facebook page)

A Jain monk, Hansratnavijayji Maharaj Saheb, created history by breaking 423 days of fasting done over a period of 494 days, reports The Times of India.

Jain gurus said that such a feat has been achieved after 2,500 years. More than 60,000 Jains gathered at the MMRDA grounds in Bandra, Mumbai on Sunday morning to witness the event.

Such fasting is a form of penance called ‘Gunaratna Samvatsar Tap’. Usually, such a religious practice involves 407 fasts over 480 days. This form of fasting is considered the highest form of penance in Jainism.

The crowd of devotees gathered at the venue sent up a collective cheer as the 49-year-old monk broke his fast, as music was being played in the background.

The monk had fasted for 108 days a couple of years ago.

<p> The idea behind fasting was to purify the soul and attain internal peace. It was to ensure that good things prevail in life.</p>

<p> Shree Hansratnavijayiji Maharaj Saheb</p>

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attended the event and sought blessings from the monk. The sponsors of the religious event, a family from Nashik, presented a cheque of Rs 51 lakh for drought relief.