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| Paryushan Parva | |
|---|---|
| Also called | Paryushan Parva |
| Observed by | Jains |
| Observances | fasting, going to theJain Temple |
| Date | August or September |
| 2025 date | 20 August (Wed) – 27 August (Wed)[1] |
| Duration | 8 days |
| Related to | Samvatsari |
| Part ofa series on |
| Jainism |
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Ethics Ethics of Jainism
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Major sects |
Paryushana is an annual holy event inJainism and is usually celebrated in August, September, or October in the Hindi calendar month of Bhadrapad's Shukla Paksha.[2] Jains increase their level of spiritual intensity, often usingfasting and prayer/meditation to help.[3][4] Thefive main vows are emphasized during this time.[citation needed] There are no set rules, and followers are encouraged to practice according to their abilities and desires. The event lasts for 8 days and ends with the celebration ofSamvatsari (forgiveness day).
The word "Paryushana" means "abiding and coming together". It is a time when the Jains take on vows of study andfasting.[5][6]
Śvētāmbara Jains observe Paryushana for eight days and Digambara Jains observe it for ten days.[7][8] Almost all Jains see participation in Paryushana as a duty.[9]
During the first three days, sermons are based on the Paryushana Stahnika Vyakhyana, explaining the duties of Paryushana and annual duties. Explanations draw on stories of exemplary figures in Jain history.[10]
The five duties of Paryushana are not killing, affection for fellow Jains, statement of annulling faults in the past year, a three-day fast, and pilgrimage.[11]
Starting on the fourth day,ŚvētāmbaraMurtipujakas recite theKalpa Sūtra, which includes a recitation of the section on the birth ofMahavira on the fifth day. Some Śvētāmbaras recite theAntagada Sutra, which details the life of 90 great men and women who attainedmoksha during the eras of the 22nd TirthankarNeminatha and 24th Tirthankar Mahavira.[4]
During Paryushana, Jains observe a fast. The span of the fast can last from a day to 30 days or more. In Śvētāmbara sect,śrāvakas (laypeople) fast by having only boiled water that may be consumed between sunrise and sunset.[12]
At the conclusion of the festival, śrāvakas request each other for forgiveness for all offenses committed during the last year.[13][12] Forgiveness is asked by saying "Micchami Dukkadam" or "Uttam Kshama" to each other. This translates to: "If I have caused you offence in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought word or deed, then I seek your forgiveness".[14]
The date for Paryushana isBhadra shuklapanchami. For this duration, Paryushana must be initiated bypanchami (the fifth day) of the shuklapaksha phase ofBhadra. The last day is calledSamvatsari, short for SamvatsariPratikramana. Due to computational and other differences, there can be some minor differences among various sects. It comes at the time when the wandering monks take up temporary residence for themonsoon period or "cāturmāsa" ("four-month"). Because at this time the monks have settled in the town for a longer duration, it is time for the householders to have an annual renewal of the faith by listening to the statement of the Dharma and through meditation and vratas (self-control). Śvētāmbara celebrate an eight-day festival that ends with Bhadrapada shukla chaturthi.[13]
It is believed that thedevas (heavenly beings) do an eight-part puja (worship) of thetirthankaras, which takes eight days. Śvētāmbara Jains celebrate this period as Paryushana.
Slaughter houses are kept closed for one to eight days during the Paryushana festival in Indian states that have a largeJain population, including Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.[15] On 14 March 2008, theSupreme Court held that the ban on slaughterhouses in Ahmedabad during Paryushan festival was legal. The court noted:[2]
In a multi-cultural country like ours with such diversity, one should not be over sensitive and over touchy about a short restriction when it is being done out of respect for the sentiments of a particular section of society. It has been stated above that the great Emperor Akbar himself used to remain a vegetarian for a few days every week out of respect for the vegetarian section of the Indian society and out of respect for his Hindu wife. We too should have similar respect for the sentiments for others, even if they are a minority sect. (para 74)
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