પર્યુષણ

Paryushana is the most important festival of the Jain year. For Shvetambara Jains it runs eight days; Digambara Jains keep the parallel ten-day Das Lakshana Parva — the two together stretch across about eighteen days in late August and early September. The days are given to fasting, daily pratikraman (a structured reflection on the previous day's actions), and the reading of the Kalpa Sutra, which retells the life of Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and final Tirthankara of this era. The festival closes with Samvatsari (Shvetambara) or Kshamavani (Digambara) — the day of universal forgiveness, when every Jain says "Micchami Dukkadam" to family, friends, colleagues, and the wider community. The phrase means "may any harm I have caused you be inconsequential," and the asking matters more than any particular wrong.

Observances

1. Daily pratikraman

   Each day of Paryushana, Jains gather for pratikraman — a structured reflection and apology for any harm caused that day. The ritual lasts about 48 minutes and is done at the upashraya (Jain meditation hall), the local Jain center, or at home.

2. Fasting (upvaas and variants)

   Fasting during Paryushana spans a wide range, from a single day's upvaas to the iconic eight-day atham. Many Jains keep some form — ayambil (bland boiled grain, one meal), ekasana (one meal), or simply vegetarianism without root vegetables.

3. Kalpa Sutra reading (Shvetambara)

   Across the eight days of Shvetambara Paryushana, the Kalpa Sutra is read aloud — the scripture that narrates the lives of the Tirthankaras, especially Mahavira. The fifth day, Mahavira Janma Vanchan, reads the account of Mahavira's birth and is the festival's emotional high point.

4. Samvatsari / Kshamavani — universal forgiveness

   The final day of the festival — Samvatsari for Shvetambaras, Kshamavani for Digambaras — is the day of universal forgiveness. Every Jain reaches out to family, friends, colleagues, and the wider community to ask 'Micchami Dukkadam.'

Getting ready

• Decide fasting level (atham, ayambil, ekasana, or vegetarian-only) — consult elders and doctor if doing atham

  home

  30d

• Confirm local Jain center's Paryushana / Das Lakshana program — pratikraman times, Kalpa Sutra readings, visiting monks

  community

  14d

• Stock pantry — clear out root vegetables, plan ayambil-friendly meals if observing

  food

  7d

• Obtain pratikraman booklet in your preferred language (English, Hindi, Gujarati)

  home

  3d

• If doing atham: begin formal fast (preceded by ekasana the day before)

  ritual

  1d

• Daily: morning practice, evening pratikraman, scripture session at center or at home

  ritual

  0d

• On Samvatsari / Kshamavani: attend community gathering; reach out with Micchami Dukkadam to family, friends, colleagues

  ritual

  0d

In the US

US Jain centers — JAINA-affiliated, in Edison NJ, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, San Jose, Los Angeles, and elsewhere — combine the eight-day Shvetambara and ten-day Digambara observances into a continuous eighteen-day community calendar, since most US centers serve both sects. Daily pratikraman is conducted in English (printed booklets by JAINA), Hindi, and Gujarati; many centers stream evening sessions on YouTube and Zoom for members who can't attend in person. Atham — the iconic eight-day fast — is undertaken by a few committed members each year; the broader community keeps various levels (ayambil, ekasana, or just vegetarian-without-root-vegetables). Samvatsari and Kshamavani days bring the largest community gatherings, with Micchami Dukkadam exchanged in person, by WhatsApp, and by post.