Hyderabad: 13-year-old Jain girl dies after fasting for 68 days

A 13-year-old Jain girl in Hyderabad died after fasting for 68 days during the holy period of 'Chaumasa'. The girl, Aradhana's family runs a jewellery business and has a shop in the Pot Bazaar area of Secunderabad.

At least 600 people attended Aradhana's funeral hailing her as a 'bal tapasvi'. The funeral procession was called a 'shobha yatra' - a mark of celebration. Questions are being raised why they allowed her to give up school and sit on a fast.

According to Jain religious leaders, Santhara is usually meant for elderly people, who have lived their life and want renunciation.