Mumbai: Hansratnavijayji Maharaj Saheb --A Jain monk has created history after he broke 423 days old fast observed over a period of 494 days. Jain gurus claim that such a feat has been achieved after 2,500 years.
To commemorate this rare feat, over 60,000 Jains hailing from different parts of the country gathered at the MMRDA grounds in Bandra on Sunday.
The function was attended by Maharshtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, besides the heads of all Jain monks in India, Tapagachhadhipati Acharya Premsuriswarji Maharaj.
"The idea behind fasting was to purify the soul and attain internal peace. It was to ensure that good things prevail in life," said Shree Hansratnavijayiji Maharaj Saheb.
The monk had fasted for 108 days a couple of years ago.
Such fasting is a form of penance called 'Gunaratna Samvatsar Tap'. Usually, such a religious practice involves 407 fasts over 480 days.
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.
Mansi Jain, one of the devotees at the venue, said it was a big event in the history of Jainism.
"We have come here to seek the blessings of Maharaj Saheb," said Mansi.
The process of fasting among Jains include slow dissociation from food. For the first month, the person is supposed to fast one day and eat the next day. He can eat only twice in a day. In the second month, fasting has to be done for two days with one day of eating. Gradually, the number of fasting days are increased. On days of fasting, only boiled water can be had between sunrise and sunset.
