How to wear lower clothes in Shvetambar sadhus
In Śvetāmbara saṅgh, the basic rule is:
- Cloth must be white, simple, un-stitched (or minimally stitched), clean and plain
- It is worn only as a means to cover the body with maximum simplicity and minimum possession, not for style
For Śvetāmbara sādhu/sādhvī, the lower cloth is usually called “cholapaṭṭak” (or similar local term).
1. Basic points about the lower cloth (cholapaṭṭak)
- One rectangular white cloth
- Length: enough to go once around the waist and reach till mid‑shin or ankles
- Width: usually from waist to below knee / near ankle
- No borders, no design, no color, no pockets etc.
- It should not be transparent or very thin
2. How it is worn (general method)
- Take the cloth lengthwise
- Hold it behind the body, at waist level.
- Wrap around the waist once
- Bring both ends forward so it covers the lower body like a plain wrap‑around.
- Overlap the two ends in the front or side
- One end goes slightly inside / under the other, so that it holds by simple tucking.
- Tuck gently at the waist
- Only a small tuck is done, just enough so it does not fall. - No tight knots, no elaborate folding.
- Check the length
- It should not be too short (must properly cover legs) - Not so long that it drags on the ground while walking.
- No “kachchā” style
- In Jain sādhu maryādā, generally the lower cloth is not taken between the legs and tucked like a dhoti’s “kachchā”. - It remains as a straight, loose, simple wrap.
3. Important maryādā (discipline) about this cloth
- Always shuddha (pure): washed, dried properly, not used for sleeping or worldly work.
- Worn only for lajjā (modesty), not with any sense of decoration.
- Number of clothes is kept minimum, according to each gaccha/saṅgh rules.
- While walking, sitting, standing, the cloth should remain properly covering and modest.
4. Small variations
- Exact length, way of tucking, and overlap side can differ slightly from one gaccha (sect) or guru‑paramparā to another, but basic principles remain:
If you are asking for practical training (e.g., for sādhutā preparation), this is normally taught directly by Āchārya / guru or senior sādhu‑sādhvī in your own saṅgh, because each tradition has its own strict details which must be followed exactly.