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180-day Fast by Nipeksh Sheth Ends At Pankaj Jain Sangh

180 Days of Self-Control: Ahmedabad Jain Devotee Nipeksh Sheth’s Story – Parna on September 20

A 180-day Jain fast observed by 28-year-old Nipeksh Sheth will come to an end on September 20 at Pankaj Jain Sangh in Bhattha, Paldi, Ahmedabad.

Sheth began the fast on March 24, 2026, and, according to reports, has taken only boiled water during the period. The parna, or breaking of the fast, will be held in the presence of Gacchadhipati Param Pujya Acharya Shri Narratnasurishwarji Maharaja. Jain monks and nuns, members of the Shravak and Shravika community, relatives and other members of the Jain community are expected to attend.

180 Days on Boiled Water Nipeksh Sheth’s Jain Penance — 180 Days on Boiled Water: Nipeksh Sheth’s Jain Penance

The 180-day period runs from March 24 to September 20. Local reports said Sheth lives in Gota and is originally from Kalol. They also reported that he began the penance at the Jain pilgrimage centre of Palitana, at the temple associated with Lord Adinath. During the period, he is also reported to have made five pilgrimages to Palitana Giriraj.

For Jain followers, fasting has a long place in religious practice. It can take several forms, ranging from giving up food for a day to longer periods of restricted eating. Jain educational material describes fasting as one of the external austerities, while meditation, religious study, repentance and service are counted among internal forms of austerity.

Boiled water also has a specific place in some Jain fasting practices. The University of Michigan’s Jainism resource notes that in Tivihar Upavas, food is avoided while boiled water may be taken. Jain educational material also describes boiled water as part of several forms of fasting.

The scale of Sheth’s fast places it well beyond the shorter fasts commonly described in Jain practice. A medical review of Jain fasting published in 2024 noted that Jain fasts may range from a single day to several months. The same paper referred to earlier cases of prolonged fasting among Jain practitioners, including Hansratna Vijayji Maharaj and Hira Ratan Manek.

The religious meaning of such penance is different from the medical meaning of fasting. Jain teachings connect austerity with control of desires, discipline and work on the self. In the Jain understanding, fasting can form part of a wider effort to reduce attachment and karmic accumulation.

Speaking about Sheth’s penance, Acharya Shri Narratnasurishwarji Maharaja, who administered the vows for the fast, said:

“Today’s youth power is the invaluable heritage of a developed India, tasked with preserving the core values of all communities in the country. In this materialistic era, preserving these values can certainly be achieved through resolute faith, self-restraint, and supreme penance of will power by remaining steadfast for 180 days solely on boiled water. Fasting is not merely a means of causing hardship to the physical body, but a spiritual process of cleansing the karmic impurities accumulated on the soul. This long penance by Nipeksh Sheth is an inspiration for the entire Jain Order and society. Along with his internal purification, this austerity will strengthen the spirit of sacrifice and dedication in society.”
Controlling the mind is the hardest thing to do. For example, as soon as it turns four o’clock, we suddenly want a cup of tea.
Controlling the Mind
The first step to controlling your mind is having a clear understanding. We must understand:
Why we eat food.
How much food we should eat.
How we should eat our food.
When we understand these things clearly, and keep our main goal locked in our heart, winning over the mind becomes much easier.
Let me give you an example. A normal person usually does not like to suffer. They try to run away from even tiny problems. But, what happens if they strongly desire to be rich or get a top job in society? They soon realise that they must work hard, take risks, and face many tough times to reach that goal. Because their goal is now firmly set, they will choose to face those tough times to succeed.
When your goal is clear and your mind is tied to it, you can happily bear any trouble that comes your way. It is the exact same with fasting or spiritual tasks. If a person sets a clear spiritual goal, or understands that this hard work will give them a healthy body, even an ordinary person will be ready and excited to do it.
According to the teachings of Lord Mahavir, while eating one meal a day and fasting fortnightly naturally results in excellent physical health, this is merely a side benefit. The true, primary purpose of fasting is spiritual: to conquer sensory desires, connect with the inner self, and awaken divine purity within the soul.

The Acharya also spoke about food habits and fasting. He said improper dietary habits can contribute to health problems and criticised the growing use of junk and frozen food. He said some people believe long fasting makes a person weak, but argued that fasting done correctly can develop self-restraint and spiritual discipline. His comments are religious guidance and should not be read as general medical advice.

Medical research gives a more cautious picture of prolonged fasting. A 2024 review of human studies found that longer water-only fasting can lead to weight loss and changes in blood pressure and metabolism, but also reported concerns including loss of lean body mass, headaches, hunger and metabolic problems. The researchers stressed that much of the available evidence comes from relatively short fasting periods and that more research is needed.

The return to food after a long fast also requires care. Medical literature describes refeeding syndrome as a potentially serious condition involving changes in minerals such as phosphate, potassium and magnesium when nutrition is restarted after prolonged starvation.

Sheth described the experience as a major personal test of faith and discipline. He said:

“My faith in Jainism, along with the guidance and blessings of my parents and Gacchadhipati Gurudev Param Pujya Acharya Shri Narratnasurishwarji Maharaja, turned this 180-day penance into the greatest spiritual journey of my life. In the initial days, there were physical challenges, but the blessings of Gurubhagwant Param Pujya Acharya Shri Narratnasurishwarji Maharaja, firm faith in the Jinshasan (Jain Order), and the chanting of the Navkar Mantra made physical fatigue vanish. During this penance, I realised that if the mind is strong, the body can endure any difficult resolve. This austerity has granted me immense inner peace, non-violence, and a true realisation of self-restraint. This achievement is not mine alone, but the result of divine grace from the Guru and the selfless support of my family.”

For Sheth and those attending the ceremony, September 20 will mark the end of six months of fasting and the beginning of the parna process. For the wider Jain community, the event also brings attention to the continuing place of long periods of austerity in Jain religious life, where fasting is practised alongside prayer, meditation, study and control of daily habits.

“The following summary highlights what medical science says about the health impacts of fasting for up to 180 days.”

Scientific Alignment: Traditional fasting practices naturally incorporate two scientifically proven concepts: autophagy (the body’s ability to repair itself when deprived of food for long periods) and the circadian rhythm (eating in sync with the sun cycle, from sunrise to sunset).
Medical Stability in Extreme Fasts: When observing individuals who completed extreme fasts (such as 180 days), doctors found their health to be completely normal. Essential bodily parameters, including liver, kidney, thyroid, lipid, and glucose profiles, showed no abnormalities.
University Research: Researchers at Sumandeep Vidyapeeth conducted extensive studies on individuals fasting for 30 days and even 171 days. After running over 140 medical and genetic tests on subjects, they found zero negative health impacts.
Positive Diabetic Outcomes: Contrary to the common belief that diabetics should never stay hungry, the research suggests that intermittent fasting can actually increase insulin sensitivity. This helps the body regulate glucose levels more effectively on its own.

The ceremony at Pankaj Jain Sangh will therefore bring together the religious and community aspects of the observance, with Sheth’s family, fellow devotees and Jain religious figures expected to be present as he completes the 180-day vow.