A Delhi based businessman called Bhanwarlal Raghunath Dohi, fondly called as Delhi's 'plastics king', gave up his lavish life and over 600-Crore Business Empire to embrace Jain monastic life at an extravagant ceremony in the city on Sunday.

Doshi wants to become a monk after Jain lectures drew him to spirituality in 1982. Since then he was trying to convince his family members and finally got succeeded last year. Now he became a monk under the discipleship of Jain Acharya, Shri Gunratna Surishwarji Maharaj. To become a monk under him, Doshi became the 108th disciple of Surishwarji Maharaj and 354th postulant.

As many as 101 people from the audience also took a Sankalp (resolution) to take Jain Diksha during the next five years.

The Diksha venue - the Ahmedabad Education Ground - was built on the theme of a 'samyam jahaj' (ship of restraint) that had cost Rs 100 Crore. Apart from 1,000 sadhus and sadhvis, the event also had 1.5 lakh samayiks (spectators).

A large number of dignitaries, including Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani, honored Doshi at the event. On Saturday, a 7km procession, 'Varsi Daan', was taken out with 1,000 Jain monks, 12 chariots, nine elephants, nine camel carts and traditional musicians.

- Manohar