September 28, 2011 By S. Sujatha
Indians have been fasting since the Vedic ages. While fasting has religious overtones in our country, it has also been used as a potent weapon since the time of Mahatma Gandhi.
Social activist Mr Anna Hazare’s recent 13-day fast in New Delhi assured that the government would include three of his main demands as integral parts of the proposed Lokpal bill while Gujarat Chief Minister Mr Narendra Modi’s Sadbhavana fast was for peace, unity and harmony.
There is one community, however, the Jains, who fast to gain self-control. For Jain monks and nuns, fasting is purely spiritual and is undertaken for self-purification and uplifting one’s soul.
Lay-people of the community also frequently fast to gain control over personal behaviours apart from mental strength.
Followers of Jainism take blessings from the Jain nuns, who are staying in the city to observe the chaturmasya period
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/jains-fast-penance-means-rise-above-mundane-923