3-year-old girl in Indore becomes youngest Jain to take Santhara, passes away minutes after ritual

In an unprecedented case from Indore, a 3-year-old girl, Viyaana, became the youngest person ever to undertake Santhara, a Jain religious practice involving voluntary death, after suffering from a recurring brain tumor. Viyaana had initially been diagnosed with a brain tumor in December 2024 and underwent surgery, showing signs of recovery. However, her condition worsened again in March 2025, prompting her parents to seek further medical treatment in Mumbai. Despite their efforts, Viyaana's health continued to deteriorate.

Following the advice of Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj, Viyaana's parents, Piyush and Varsha Jain, decided to proceed with the Santhara ritual. On 21 March 2025, under the guidance of Rajesh Muni Maharaj, the family began the process, which typically involves fasting and meditative prayers. After about 30 minutes of the ritual, Viyaana passed away, just minutes after completing the religious procedure.

The family, who are both IT professionals, revealed that they had only shared the decision with a few close family members and relatives. They mentioned that their daughter, though young, had been raised in a spiritually enriched environment, with regular exposure to Jain rituals such as visiting temples, feeding birds, and performing charitable acts. This strong spiritual upbringing was pivotal in their decision to follow the monk’s advice.

The case has drawn attention both within the Jain community and beyond. Viyaana’s name has been recorded in the Golden Book of World Records as the youngest individual to ever undertake Santhara. A simple ceremony was held in Indore’s Keemti Garden, where the family was honored for their unwavering faith and decision.

While the event has been met with support from many in the Jain community, it has also raised ethical questions. There has been no official comment from legal authorities regarding the decision, especially concerning the involvement of a minor in such a religious act. However, for the Jain community, the case is seen as a significant religious event, marking a new record in the practice of Santhara.