We gave our $24million fortune to charity to become MONKS – we literally threw our money away to start new life together

A wealthy Jain couple from Gujarat has given away around ₹200 crore.

Bhavesh Bhandari and his wife Jinal Bhandari handed over their life savings and luxury possessions after being inspired by their kids to “walk on the path of renunciation and salvation”.

(Bhavesh Bhandari and his wife Jinal Bhandari gave their entire $24million fortune to charity to become monks.Credit: Twitter)

(The couple had to throw away their entire life's savings and possessions during the procession.Credit: Twitter)

(Hundreds of people turned up to see the wealthy couple and try to catch some of their goods.Credit: Twitter)

1. According to ABP, Bhavesh Bhandari is a resident of Gujarat who comes from a well-off family in Sabarkantha.

2. He worked in the construction industry and managed projects in both Sabarkantha and Ahmedabad.

3. Bhandari and his wife donated ₹200 crore and went on the path to take Diksha, reported News Nine. For the unversed, Diksha is a ceremony where a person formally commits to live an ascetic or spiritually disciplined life.

4. Bhandari has a son and a daughter, who took Diksha in 2022.

5. As their entire family has taken Diksha, they all will be living a simple life and gave up even things such as air conditioners, fans, beds, any sort of electronics and other things.

6. The initiation ceremony was marked with a procession. A sizable crowd attended the procession that took place in Himmatnagar. It is reported that on April 22, the Bhandari couple will receive a formal induction.

Jain monks are seen as some of the most gentle and non-violent people in India as they walk around barefoot with only a bowl, broom and two outfits with them.

The Bhandari family will also now only eat when food is given to them by charitable sources.

Footage shows the couple riding on a chariot full of flowers and wearing royal clothing as they launched items into a big crowd.

Hundreds of locals turned up to follow the wealthy pair on the four kilometre journey to try and collect some of their unwanted goods.

Mr Bhandari said: "I have decided to choose the right path for living, and for that I have selected monkhood.

"I have lived a lavish life and have not faced any difficulties… not even in my business. I am happy with the decision.”

((The life of a Jain monk))

The lifestyle of a Jain monk sees followers walking barefoot across the country and surviving solely on charitable donations from others.

It is believed that followers are allowed to own just two white outfits, a bowl to eat out of and a broom known as a "rajoharan".

The rajoharan is used to sweep insects of surfaces when the monks are about to sit down.

They must also adhere to five basic vows during their monkhood.

Jain monks must typically be non-violent, cannot lie, cannot steal, be celibate and must own no personal possessions.

Other rules state they can't eat when the sun is up, are not allowed to cook for themselves, can't ever touch the opposite gender - including children.

The couple's two daughters, 19 and 16, adopted monkhood back in 2022.

Although the business that made them millions is still set to continue but now in the hands of Mr Bhandari's father and oldest brother.

Earlier, a nine-year-old Gujarat girl who is the daughter of a wealthy diamond dealer chose to become a monk instead of material comfort.

Ref: We gave our $24million fortune to charity to become MONKS – we literally threw our money away to start new life together (thesun, hindustantimes,abplive)

Photo Credit: Twitter