Vadodara: Jain monk Namratna Vijayji Maharaj (21), who had recently performed Chaturmas at the Alkapuri Jain Sangh in Vadodara, died in a road accident early Thursday morning on the Ahmedabad–Mumbai highway near Virar in Maharashtra’s Palghar district while undertaking a religious foot pilgrimage.

The accident occurred around 5:15–5:30 am in the Bhalivali area under Mandvi police station limits. According to police, the monk was walking from Sativali Pratapdham towards Shirsad Phata near Virar as part of a religious journey to the Vasai Road Jain Sangh in Mumbai.

Officials said a truck had broken down on the Mumbai–Gujarat lane of the highway when a car coming from behind at high speed lost control and rammed the stationary truck. The vehicle then overturned and hit the monk, who was walking along the road. The impact was severe, and he died on the spot.

Police rushed to the scene soon after the accident and registered a case of accidental death at Mandvi police station. Both the truck driver and the car driver have been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway.

Namratna Vijayji Maharaj had taken diksha six years ago from Jainacharya Pujya Rajaratna Surishwarji Maharaj, who had recently visited the Lalbagh Jain Sangh in Vadodara. Members of the Jain Sangh said no other monks were injured in the incident.

Following the accident, the body was taken to the Vasai Road Jain Sangh, where the funeral rites were performed. A palanquin procession was also taken out on Thursday evening before the final rites.

During his six years of monkhood, the young monk had studied several religious scriptures, including Karma Granths and Sanskrit grammar, and had undertaken strict religious observances such as Masakshman penance, Ayambil, and Chovihar Chhath. He had also walked nearly 5,500 kilometres on foot as part of his religious discipline.

Members of the Jain community said the monk belonged to a deeply religious family. His father Shauryaratna Vijayji, mother Hitarthchitra Shreeji, brother Dhairyaratna Vijayji, and other family members have also taken initiation from Jainacharya Pujya Rajaratna Surishwarji Maharaj and adopted the path of saiyam. DeshGujarat