For Shwetambar Jains, the 1st day of Paryushan is mainly about starting the festival with a pure resolve.

In simple points:

• Ārambh (Beginning):

It is the formal start of Paryushan – we make a sankalp (strong resolve) to live these 8 days with ahimsa, discipline, and purity.

• Sankalp for Tap & Sādhanā:

Decide what you will do in these days: - upvaas / ayambil / ekāsan, etc. - daily samayik - pratikraman (evening) - more swādhyāya (scripture study)

• Start Pratikraman Properly:

Many people who don’t do daily pratikraman in normal days, start doing it from Day 1 of Paryushan.

• Temple & Pravachan:

Go to derasar, listen to pravachan, do Chaitya-vandan, try to stay more in a dharmik environment.

• Ahimsā & Kshamā Bhāvanā:

From Day 1 itself, keep special care for: - no anger, no harsh words - no himsā even to small beings - soft behaviour with family and others

Overall: Day 1 (Shwetambar) = “I am beginning these 8 days with full sincerity, discipline, and a clean heart.”

You can read a simple explanation of the first day of Paryushan here and more practical things to do on the first day here .