Mumbai, April 22 :  A 59-year-old Mumbai-based diamond merchant Yatrik Zaveri took 'diksha' (initiation) on Sunday to become a Jain monk. Yatrik is a partner in Motilal Dahyabhai Zaveri & Sons, one of the oldest diamond firms in Mumbai.

Yatrik, who chose to don the whites of a monk in the presence of family and friends, now wants to earn knowledge and serve society.

"He has done a lot for himself, now he wants to serve society," one of his relatives told ANI.

The diksha took place in Walkeshwar area of Mumbai. The religious ceremonies including his varshitap procession took place on Saturday.

Yatrik was born in Gujarat's Ahmedabad and joined the family business in his late teens.

He was drawn to the teachings of his guru Labdhichandrasagar Maharaj and decided to give up family and society to become a monk. Yatrik said he was fortunate to get the support of his family.

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)