what is a rojoharana

“Rojoharana” (more correctly written as Rajoharan / Rajoharana – रजोहरण) is:

A special broom used by Jain sadhus and sadhvis (mainly Śvetāmbara).

• Word meaning:

- Raja = dust - Haran = to remove So, Rajoharan = that which removes dust.

• Purpose in Jainism

- Before a sadhu sits, walks, or places anything down, they gently sweep the ground with the rajoharan. - This is done to avoid harming tiny living beings (sūkṣma jiva) that may be on the surface. - It is a very important tool for practicing ahimsa (non‑violence) in daily life.

• How it looks / what it’s made of

- For Śvetāmbara monks and nuns, it is usually made of soft cotton or woolen threads, tied together in a small broom‑like form. - It is light, soft, and designed so that even the smallest insect is not hurt.

• Who uses what (Śvetāmbara vs. Digambara)

- Śvetāmbara: use rajoharan (thread broom) and a muhpatti. - Digambara: usually carry a pinchi (peacock‑feather whisk) instead of a rajoharan, but the purpose is similar – carefulness and non‑violence.

In short: Rojoharan / Rajoharana is the soft broom carried by Jain monks and nuns to gently sweep the ground so that no small living beings are killed – a symbol of extreme ahimsa and carefulness.

You can read a bit more here