200 crores of wealth donated by monks such as Gujarat businessman, family 200 Crores of wealth have been donated by Gujarat businessmen, family like monks

Surat, April 15: A wealthy Jain couple from Gujarat who donated ₹ 200 crores and accepted sannyas, are now on their way to salvation.

Bhavesh Bhandari and his wife donated all their wealth in a ceremony held in February. He is officially entering the monastic life at a ceremony later this month. A businessman from Himmatnagar, who was involved in the building construction industry, accepted monasticism in 2022.

His 19-year-old children and 16-year-old son are following the same path with him. People in their community say that Bhavesh and his wife were inspired by their children to renounce their material attachments and join the ascetic path.

After 22nd April the couple will cut off all family ties. Any physical objects are allowed to be kept. He then walks across India barefoot and survives only on alms.

They will be given only two white garments. A bowl and rajoharan are necessary for alms. A white broom is used by Jain monks to sweep insects away from the area before they sit down. This is a sign of the path of non-violence they follow.

This decision of the Bhandari family, known for its immense wealth, has drawn attention across the state. He joins a handful of others like Bhawarlal Jain, who previously walked away with millions to live a modest life. Bhawarlal Jain had started micro irrigation system in India.

The Bhandari couple marched for another 35 kilometres. There he donated all his possessions including his mobile phones and air conditioners. Videos of the procession show the couple on a chariot dressed as royalty.

Taking initiation is an important commitment in Jainism. There he lives on alms without material comforts and walks barefoot across the country. Last year a multi-millionaire diamond merchant and his wife in Gujarat followed a similar path five years after their 12-year-old son adopted monasticism. Incidentally, the couple drove a Jaguar for their initiation, just as their son rode a Ferrari for their initiation ceremony.

In 2017, a wealthy couple from Madhya Pradesh made headlines by donating ₹100 crore and leaving their three-year-old son to become a monk. 35-year-old Sumit Rathore and his wife Anamika, 34, had taken the big step in life before leaving their daughter with her grandmother.