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About Paryushan

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About Paryushan

Paryushan, or Paryushan Parva, is the most important yearly festival of the Jain faith, a time of fasting, prayer and looking within. Svetambara Jains keep it for eight days in the month of Bhadrapada, in August or September, ending on Samvatsari, the day of forgiveness.

Digambara Jains keep Das Lakshan Parva for ten days, starting the day after, each day honouring one virtue such as forgiveness, humility, honesty and self control.

People fast in many ways, from one meal a day to water only for all eight days, attend the temple (derasar), hear the Kalpa Sutra with the life of Bhagwan Mahavir, sit for samayik (meditation) and pratikraman (reflection on one's faults), and take extra care not to harm any living being.

  • Bhadrapada, around August or September
  • 8 days for Svetambara, 10 for Digambara
  • Ends with asking forgiveness

Where it began

Paryushan is often explained as staying in one place or coming together. Jain monks and nuns stop travelling in the rainy season to avoid harming small living beings, and lay people gather near them to listen and learn.

Svetambara Jains read the Kalpa Sutra, which tells the life of Mahavira. Digambara Jains reflect on ten virtues, such as forgiveness, humility and honesty, one for each day.

How it grew over time

  1. Ancient times

    Jain monks keep the rainy season retreat, and the community gathers around them.

  2. Medieval period

    Richly painted copies of the Kalpa Sutra are made in western India for reading in Paryushan.

  3. Later centuries

    Fasting, temple worship and the forgiveness ritual become shared customs.

  4. Today

    Jains in India and around the world keep the festival together.

How it is celebrated in different places

  • Gujarat and Rajasthan

    Temples hold daily readings, and many people fast for one day or longer.

  • Mumbai

    Jain temples and halls fill for talks and pratikraman prayers.

  • UK, US and Kenya

    Jain centres hold prayers and shared meals after the fast.

Paryushan today

People fast, meditate, read scripture, visit temples and give to charity. The festival closes with Samvatsari, when Jains ask forgiveness from everyone with Micchami Dukkadam.

How people celebrate Paryushan

  • Fasting and tapasya
  • Samayik meditation
  • Daily pratikraman
  • Reading of the Kalpa Sutra
  • Temple visits and stavan songs
  • Extra care for all living beings
  • Charity and feeding animals

How to wish well

  • Jai Jinendra is the usual greeting. A blessed Paryushan or wishes for an easy tapasya suit friends who fast.
  • Keep it calm and respectful. Avoid food talk, party words and jokes, and do not tempt fasting friends with treats.
  • On the last day, Samvatsari, the message is Micchami Dukkadam, asking forgiveness.

Questions about Paryushan

When is Paryushan 2027?

Svetambara Paryushan in 2027 is expected to run for eight days ending on Samvatsari, around the start of September. Local Jain calendars give the exact days.

What is Paryushan?

The main yearly Jain festival, eight or ten days of fasting, prayer, study and forgiveness, ending with Samvatsari.

What do you say during Paryushan?

Jai Jinendra, and wishes for a peaceful Paryushan and an easy fast. On the last day, Micchami Dukkadam.

How long is Paryushan?

Eight days for Svetambara Jains and ten days, called Das Lakshan, for Digambara Jains.

What is Das Lakshan Parva?

The Digambara festival of ten virtues, kept for ten days after Svetambara Paryushan, ending with Kshamavani, the day of forgiveness.

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