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Dressed only in his 'birthday suit' this Jain devotee sits for hours at the foot - literally - of Gomateshvara.

Jainism dates back to the time of Buddha and its adherents believe that every living thing consists of an eternal soul called the jiva which is imprisoned in the body. To free the jiva, one must avoid worldly activites. Jain sadhus (holy men) and sadhvis (holy women) try to separate themselves from the everyday world.

They are not allowed to kill any living creature and they may not own any property except a broom, simple robes, bowls for food, and maybe a walking stick. Less strict Jains support the sadhus and sadhvis, and throughout history many have held such unobjectionable occupations as money-lenders.