In Jain Dharma, Holi is not a Jain religious festival. It is mainly a Hindu utsav. Some Jains join socially, but for us the guiding point is always: Ahimsa, Sayyam and Aparigraha first.

1. What is Holi “according to us”?

From a Jain point of view:

• It is a lokik / social festival, not a tithi connected with Tirthankars or Jain scriptures.
• On that day also, our daily Jain discipline does not change:

- Ahimsa (non‑violence) - Satya (truth) - Asteya (non‑stealing) - Brahmacharya (chastity within one’s vows) - Aparigraha (non‑possessiveness)

At some Jain tirths, like Sammed Shikhar, big bhakti programs and melas are held on Holi Poonam – kirtans, bhakti, darshan etc., but even there the focus is devotion, not colour‑play. You can see a description here .

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2. What should a Jain ideally do on Holi?

Best is to use the day as extra dharmic time, for example:

• Go to Derasar / Jinalay for:

- Darshan, Pooja, Aarti - Swadhyaya (listening to pravachan, reading Jain granths)

• Do Japa & Dhyan (Navkar Mantra, Logassa, etc.)
• Do Pratikraman / Alochana of any extra himsa or asatya that may happen due to gatherings.
• Practice seva & daya:

- Donating food/medicine/education - Feeding the poor in a non‑violent way (no night‑eating, no himsak food)

• Keep the day simple, shant and saiyam‑yukt rather than loud and violent.

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3. Should we play with colours and water?

From pure Jain principles, it is better to avoid colour and water play, because:

1. Himsa to living beings

- Wet colours, mud, and stored water contain countless tiny jiv (micro‑organisms). - Throwing colours/water, pushing, dragging, running on wet dirty ground – all increase violence, even if “unknowingly”.

1. Pramad (carelessness) and vices

- Loud music, crowds, teasing, sometimes alcohol or vulgar jokes → all lead away from samyak smriti (right awareness). - Many people get hurt, angry, or insulted, which breaks ahimsa and maitri.

1. Aparigraha & Asuchi

- Wasting huge amounts of water, buying many chemical colours, fancy guns, gadgets etc. → parigraha and waste. - Chemical colours may harm skin, eyes, animals, plants, birds.

So, according to Jain dharma, full‑fledged Holi with colours and water is not recommended.

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4. If family/friends insist and you cannot avoid?

Sometimes a young person cannot completely say no. In that case:

• Keep it minimal and controlled, like a compromise, not as “our dharma”.
• Prefer:

- Dry, natural, very limited colours (if at all). - No throwing on unwilling people or animals. - No intoxication, no vulgarity, no fighting. - Stop before sunset; don’t disturb others’ peace.

• Keep bhavna: “I want to reduce himsa as much as possible; this is only due to social pressure, not my ideal.”

But the ideal Jain path, for both Digambar and Shwetambar shravaks, is:

> “Avoid unnecessary worldly festivals that increase himsa and pramad, > and use such days to increase swadhyaya, bhakti and samyam.”

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Summary:

• Holi is not a Jain religious festival.
• Best for Jains: no colour–water play, no himsa, no waste, no intoxication.
• Use the day for Derasar, swadhyaya, pratikraman, bhakti, and seva.
• If you must join socially, do it in the least harmful, most disciplined way, always remembering that our true celebration is Ahimsa and Sanyam, not colours.