Can i do shikharji yatra during periods
In Jain dharma, periods (menstruation) are a natural bodily process, not a spiritual sin. Your atma is never “impure” because of it.
But for Shikharji yatra, there are two separate points:
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1. Spiritually – Is it allowed?
- Yes. You can remember Bhagwan, do Navkār Mantra, bhakti, prarthana, etc. during periods.
- Inner bhakti, dhyan, japa are always allowed in both Digambar and Shwetambar traditions.
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2. Temple & yatra maryādā (discipline)
According to common Jain maryādā (both Digambar & Shwetambar, with small local differences):
During periods, women are usually requested to avoid:
- Entering the garbha-griha (inner sanctum)
- Touching murtis/charan, doing abhishek / snatra, or handling puja-dravya directly
- Doing big pujā-vidhi, jal-yatra, etc.
So for Shikharji specifically:
If you are planning in advance
- If possible, avoid keeping the main yatra days exactly on your periods, because:
- Going when you are not on periods lets you do full yatra with all vidhi comfortably.
If periods start suddenly during the yatra
- You have not done any paap by going.
- You may:
- Please avoid (as per traditional practice):
- Always follow the local mandir rules and guidance of your guru / sangh.
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Essence
- Atma-bhakti is never stopped by periods.
- For Shikharji yatra, from a practical and maryādā point of view, it is better to plan so that your main climbing & puja days are outside your periods.
- If it cannot be avoided or comes unexpectedly,