Jain monks, munis, at the Digambara Jain temple in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India during the important festival of Caturmas.

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A photograph of a group of religious Jain Digambara ascetics, monks (aka munis) at the Jain temple in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India where these monk was resting from wandering during the rainy season that Jain's call Caturmas. Jain monks are strictly vegetarian and practice Ahimsa (non-violence to all living things). The shot was taken towards the end of Caturmas in October during a talk being given by a senior monk, an Acharya at the temple. Jainism is an ancient religion, an off-shoot of Hinduism, and coterminous with Buddhism. Jains belong to one of two sects: Digambara (sky-clad and ascetics can often be seen wandering entirely in the nude) and Svetambara. The monks in this photograph are all Digambara. The more advanced ascetics (religiously speaking) wear nothing at all. Ahimsa, non-violence, is a central tenet of Jainism. Jain communities in India are extremely prosperous.

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Size: 3564px × 2372px
Location: Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Photo credit: © Daniel J. Rao / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: ajmer, asia, caturmas, ceremony, digambara, digamber, festival, india, jain, jainism, male, monks, muni, munis, nude, rajasthan, religion, religious, sect, temple