83-year-old Jain woman in Tamil Nadu observes ‘santhara’ to end life

After the Supreme Court gave a stay-order on the Rajasthan High Court's verdict that had categorised the Jain ritual of 'santhara' a penal offence, 83 year old Marudevi Ammal opted to observe the ritual where one fasts unto death.

It's been 40 days since Marudevi is observing santhara in a Jain temple in Thensenthamangalam, a remote village in Tiruvannamalai district, reported a leading daily.

Elders of the Jain community reportedly said that Marudevi may be the first woman to embrace the ritual in Tamil Nadu.

In Jainism, santhara is known as a highly regarded practice, that is attained by rejecting all desires of the materialistic world including food and even water gradually. 

According to the report, signs of this ancient ritual are available in santhara inscriptions in Tamil Brahmi dating back to 5th century AD, where the death of ascetic Chandranandhi fasted for 57 days till his death in Villupuram. Another mention is in a 10th century AD inscription that details the death of Ilayaparadarar who fasted for 30 days, reported the leading daily.

Chennai-based Jain scholar K Ajithadoss was quoted in the report as saying that a few examples were also reported 10 years ago. However, the ritual has vanished and in such light, Marudevi's vow for Santhara should be seen as reviving this traditional value system which is at the verge of extinction.