![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FM3LX7HXXJDJ7DREMSXU7O634M.jpg?smart=true&auth=e8b0a87a9fdcdf2094562e058c299a59bf2733834ddb171f485986dfc07f5c9f&width=400&height=225)
Devanshi, whose father is the owner of a successful diamond firm in Surat, was always inclined towards spiritual life
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SLJ24IKQFNBBROFL2LOGJZKCQQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ffa7bb7c3076ee105944beacf73c4eb76de639f990d1f430e812cece083a373a&width=400&height=225)
Devanshi Sanghvi, the eldest daughter of diamond baron Dhanesh Sanghvi and his wife Ami, took vows of renunciation on Wednesday in the presence of a Jain monk in Surat, western Gujarat. All photos: Dhanesh Sanghvi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JOLI52ZGJVGOPOMVWBAU75AWAI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=2a7586e666d32d052e5134fc2ef628c12ccfeb1f975fb096c48ae65e91912a6c&width=400&height=225)
Devanshi is eight years old
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/34S6COPO4VHYFATQYQWNGXQIWM.jpeg?smart=true&auth=d40257b17faa04c9b5b0523b2c4b0a5e08c28fc3564ff150991f3c3a154a2772&width=400&height=225)
She will shave her head and go to live with other Jain nuns
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W4MV2X67GREOFCRZAQIEVATY3A.jpeg?smart=true&auth=fd6965afebb3d950eebdd0a4a469b45246a6d35350b143ff05c007bc52fbb736&width=400&height=225)
Some have expressed concerns about whether a girl as young as Devanshi can make an informed decision about the rest of her life
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A32A7JVBONFKNLNTZKWDXS4FYI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=df32f25ca7e189dff2f339887c90106488d8ccd79c98d1bc25d26f9b666c9240&width=400&height=225)
Thousands joined in the celebrations
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/26462FN5SVA2BFIJMLLQOXF2V4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=1814d7d4c85cfdc7959a2739ed4cf1ecdec285be28b676aa505dab8f2c4e6be4&width=400&height=225)
Jain nuns must shave their heads
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7EZCHQ4GI5CJRDMPTLRNRM466U.jpeg?smart=true&auth=441ba410a8629b7a523f30554c7df7115a019efe3c77903149fad99c2f348c55&width=400&height=225)
The lavish ceremony represents the last time Devanshi will have any possessions of her own
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UCXFGHOYNRCSHH35NH7PUO3RQY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=a85161ef9b5fc6710acd8c4dc780ac399d5712cb1e704c53466d69aaf094a325&width=400&height=225)
Like other Jain ascetics, Devanshi will now wear only white robes and cover her mouth with fabric to prevent herself from accidentally swallowing insects
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3AVI4IXWVBHKFOMLQTR7WIZD7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=11482e751f05ebcdc7407859918f0334aaee333662af127971c1901e1a495755&width=400&height=225)
Thousands joined the celebrations in Surat in western Gujarat
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FM3LX7HXXJDJ7DREMSXU7O634M.jpg?smart=true&auth=e8b0a87a9fdcdf2094562e058c299a59bf2733834ddb171f485986dfc07f5c9f&width=400&height=225)
Devanshi, whose father is the owner of a successful diamond firm in Surat, was always inclined towards spiritual life
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SLJ24IKQFNBBROFL2LOGJZKCQQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ffa7bb7c3076ee105944beacf73c4eb76de639f990d1f430e812cece083a373a&width=400&height=225)
Devanshi Sanghvi, the eldest daughter of diamond baron Dhanesh Sanghvi and his wife Ami, took vows of renunciation on Wednesday in the presence of a Jain monk in Surat, western Gujarat. All photos: Dhanesh Sanghvi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JOLI52ZGJVGOPOMVWBAU75AWAI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=2a7586e666d32d052e5134fc2ef628c12ccfeb1f975fb096c48ae65e91912a6c&width=400&height=225)
Devanshi is eight years old
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/34S6COPO4VHYFATQYQWNGXQIWM.jpeg?smart=true&auth=d40257b17faa04c9b5b0523b2c4b0a5e08c28fc3564ff150991f3c3a154a2772&width=400&height=225)
She will shave her head and go to live with other Jain nuns
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W4MV2X67GREOFCRZAQIEVATY3A.jpeg?smart=true&auth=fd6965afebb3d950eebdd0a4a469b45246a6d35350b143ff05c007bc52fbb736&width=400&height=225)
Some have expressed concerns about whether a girl as young as Devanshi can make an informed decision about the rest of her life
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A32A7JVBONFKNLNTZKWDXS4FYI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=df32f25ca7e189dff2f339887c90106488d8ccd79c98d1bc25d26f9b666c9240&width=400&height=225)
Thousands joined in the celebrations
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/26462FN5SVA2BFIJMLLQOXF2V4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=1814d7d4c85cfdc7959a2739ed4cf1ecdec285be28b676aa505dab8f2c4e6be4&width=400&height=225)
Jain nuns must shave their heads
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7EZCHQ4GI5CJRDMPTLRNRM466U.jpeg?smart=true&auth=441ba410a8629b7a523f30554c7df7115a019efe3c77903149fad99c2f348c55&width=400&height=225)
The lavish ceremony represents the last time Devanshi will have any possessions of her own
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UCXFGHOYNRCSHH35NH7PUO3RQY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=a85161ef9b5fc6710acd8c4dc780ac399d5712cb1e704c53466d69aaf094a325&width=400&height=225)
Like other Jain ascetics, Devanshi will now wear only white robes and cover her mouth with fabric to prevent herself from accidentally swallowing insects
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3AVI4IXWVBHKFOMLQTR7WIZD7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=11482e751f05ebcdc7407859918f0334aaee333662af127971c1901e1a495755&width=400&height=225)
Thousands joined the celebrations in Surat in western Gujarat
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FM3LX7HXXJDJ7DREMSXU7O634M.jpg?smart=true&auth=e8b0a87a9fdcdf2094562e058c299a59bf2733834ddb171f485986dfc07f5c9f&width=400&height=225)
Devanshi, whose father is the owner of a successful diamond firm in Surat, was always inclined towards spiritual life
Indian diamond tycoon's eight-year-old daughter becomes a Jain nun
She will now wear only white robes and live an austere life
![Taniya Dutta](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Ff16b3521-2438-42ac-a914-4072ef298f1c.png?smart=true&auth=2e7bd18a9d681304782408cd2ad4662f50ed2dec6f481149b8eb1cac80d9d410&width=70&height=70)
Taniya Dutta
18 January, 2023
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