A grand celebration was held by the family to celebrate the feat. Jain religion experts said that while some sadhus and sadhvis have performed such a penance, it is unusual for a young girl with no prior experience of long-term fasting.
Rupa Shah, Krisha's mother, said that the fasts started on July 11 with the initial vow for 16 fasts.She has had no major health complication from such a marathon fasting. "Krisha approached her guru Muni Padmakalash Maharaj for permission to embark on fasting and started fasting from July 11. She would only consume boiled water between 9 am and 6.30 pm. As she did not develop any health issues, she decided to extend it by 10 days," she said.
Krisha's father Jigar Shah is a stockbroker, whereas her mother is a homemaker. She is the elder of the two daughters of the family that traces its roots in Saldi village in Mehsana district. The family said that prior to the mega fast, Krisha had performed an eight-day fast when she was nine years old, and 16-day fast when she was 14 years old.
Gurus were confident of her achieving target
But this time it was different. After 26 days, she aimed for 31 days. Soon after, the goal shifted to 51 days. She again took a vow of 20-day fast after successfully completing 51 days to end her fast in holy Paryushan month. Until 40 days, she was even going to college," said her mother, Rupa. Krisha Shah is a class 11 student at KES College in Kandivali.
After 71 days, the gurus were confident that she may achieve the difficult target of 108 days even as the family was sceptical. On 80th day, Krisha went to get blessings of the gurus when she got inspired by the sadhus who were there to take blessings for an eight-day fast. The family said that after three months, even Krisha was not sure whether she would be able to continue, but the gurus had faith in her and they said that all the gurus' blessings were with her. She outdid herself and even added two more days to round it off at 110 on October 28.
Both her gurus - Acharya Vijayhansratnasuri Maharaj and Muni Padmalakshvijay Maharaj - have roots in Gujarat. The grand event held to celebrate Krisha's fasting saw revered Jain blessing her. The family said that after a few initial days, Krisha said that she did not crave for food and also focused on religious scriptures and prayers to get strength. During three months, Krisha lost about 18 kilograms of weight, they added. Her spiritual guru Muni Padmakalash Maharaj said that there are a few devotees who generally take a vow for 108-day fasts but it happens over one or two years. "She did it at a go, and we do not know of someone who has achieved this feat with almost no prior experience of long-term fasting. It not only shows her self-control and discipline, but also presents an example to others that a human mind can set lofty goals and achieve seemingly impossible feats," he said.
In rare feat, 16-year-old Jain girl completes 110-day fast - Times of India
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