In Jain dharma, the question is not “Is idli/dosa allowed?” but “In which way and in which level of vow are you living?”

Key points:

1. Basic household Jain (general level)

You may eat idli / dosa if: - No onion, garlic, eggs, fish etc. are used. - Only regular Jain-allowed ingredients: rice, daal, salt, spices, oil/ghee. - Batter is kept clean, covered and preferably refrigerated so it doesn’t become over‑fermented and full of micro‑organisms.

1. Issue of fermentation

- Fermented food naturally has more living micro‑organisms, so many Jains avoid or minimise such items out of ahiṃsā. - The stricter you want to be (following small vows more seriously), the more you reduce items like idli/dosa, curd, bread, etc.

1. Days when it is usually avoided

Even many general Jains do not eat fermented food: - On Paryushan / Ayambil / Upvas days - On Ashtami, Chaturdashi, Poonam if they follow special niyam - At night, some avoid all wet and fermented food.

1. Very strict / sādharmik level

- Some very strict śrāvaks and of course sādhus-sādhvīs completely avoid fermented items like idli/dosa.

Simple guidance:

• If you are a normal household Jain: you can take idli/dosa occasionally, made in strict Jain way, and avoid on special tithis, upvās, and at night.
• If you wish to progress in ahiṃsā and saiyam, slowly reduce and then stop fermented foods like idli/dosa.