India: 8-year-old heir to ‘jewelry dynasty’ renounces the worldly and becomes a nun

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He had never watched TV, movies and had never been to malls and restaurants, say those who know the child

An eight-year-old girl in India, a potential heir to a multi-million dollar diamond fortune…renounces riches and worldly things to become a nun in a strict religious order.

Devanshi Sanghvi was, until this week, the heir to the Sanghvi and Sons jewelery business in the western city of Surat, popularly known as the ‘Diamond City’ trading business prominent in the global gemstone trade.

Her family are also members of the Jain faith, a small but ancient Indian religion that preaches peace, strict vegetarianism and love for all creatures great and small.

This week, a four-day ceremony was held to officially announce her selection.

He then left in a carriage pulled by an elephant, according to photos shared with local media.

After arriving at the temple, she exchanged her elaborate clothing for a simple white cotton garment.

She had previously shaved her hair.

Sanghvi was known among members of Surat’s Jain community for her piety even as a small child, according to a witness at Wednesday’s ceremony, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity.

“Devanshi has never watched television, movies and has never been to malls and restaurants,” they said, adding that the girl was a regular attendee at temple functions.

The 8-year-old is one of the youngest people to “take shape” and leave the worldly and embrace Jain monasticism.

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