Paryushana
The most sacred Jain festival, eight days of fasting, prayer, and forgiveness.
Paryushana is held in the Jain lunar months of Shravana and Bhadrapada, usually in August or September. Svetambara Jains observe eight days ending on Samvatsari, and Digambara Jains observe the ten-day Das Lakshana that follows.
When Is Paryushana?
Paryushana is held in the Jain lunar months of Shravana and Bhadrapada, usually in August or September. Svetambara Jains observe eight days ending on Samvatsari, and Digambara Jains observe the ten-day Das Lakshana that follows.
Because the Gregorian date changes from year to year, check a calendar published by the tradition or your local community for this year's date.
Why It Matters
Paryushana ("abiding" or "coming together") is the most important Jain festival, observed in the month of Bhadrapada. It is a time of intensive spiritual practice, self-examination, and seeking forgiveness from all beings. The culminating day is Samvatsari, the "Great Forgiveness Day."
How It Is Observed
Fasting (some fast all 8 days), listening to readings from the Kalpa Sutra, meditation, temple worship, confessing wrongdoings, seeking and granting forgiveness. On Samvatsari, sending letters/messages of forgiveness: "Micchami Dukkadam", "I ask for forgiveness."
Sacred Text
“All breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence. This is the pure, unchangeable, eternal law.”
, Acaranga Sutra 1.4.1 ↗