I cannot take my mind off the image of the traveling Jain nuns that we witnessed in Udaipur at the beginning of the trip. Photographing the occurrence didn’t seem appropriate at the moment as they radiate such a holy vibe that one cannot possibly capture.

There were about eight nuns in the group we saw, walking slowly barefoot through town. They were dressed in pristine white robes, carrying cloth brooms to sweep the ground before they touch it and covered their mouths with strips of fabric to prevent them from accidentally inhaling insects.

Jainism is one of India’s oldest religions. I had heard about it from Indian acquaintances while growing up, but never knew the strict extent of it until I read William Dalrymple’s book, Nine Lives. Dalrymple writes affectionately of a young and absolutely devoted Jain nun. I highly recommend it.

Jain nuns and monks practice hardcore devotion, including extreme non violence and vegetarianism, studying ancient scriptures and traversing all of India barefoot. Complete detachment is a pillar of their beliefs. Jain temples are some of the most magnificat that I have seen in India, ancient and immaculately kept. Visitors rarely catch a glimpse of a nun or monk praying, so it was particularly moving to see them going about their daily lives.