Jains to break fast on Akshay Tritiya

Over 15,000 Jains will gather at the Somaiya grounds in Sion on Friday to observe Akshay Tritiya. Among them, 600 Jains who are observing Varshi Tap, will be breaking their fast on this day.

Like Hindus, Jains too consider Akshar Tritiya as one of the auspicious days because the first Tirthankar, Lord Rishabhadeva broke his 403 days fast on this day. A king by birth, Rishabhadeva denounced worldly life and left for meditation and fasting.

Varshi Tap involves around 200 fasts that spread over 13 months and 13 days. "One fasts on one day an eats on another. The day one has food, has certain rules. These include having two meals a day only when one is seated. Each meal should be over within 45 minutes and both have to be taken between sunrise and sunset. On the day of fast, one can have only boiled water. Around 290 tapasvis will be breaking their fast on this day," said Mahavir Dawra, trustee of Chembur Jain Sangh that will be organising the programme at Somaiya grounds.

Another programme will be held at the same ground by another organisation. "The fast is not about torturing body. We fast because we try to be away from the worldly life and try to understand and achieve ultimate bliss," said Bharati Parekh, a Ghatkopar resident, who will be breaking her fast on Friday.