What is tivihar and chauvihar

Tivihar and Chauvihar are Jain terms related to dietary restraint and renunciation of food/water after sunset.

1) Tivihar

Tivihar means three-fold renunciation:

• Food: no eating
• Water: no drinking
• Medicine / other intake: in some traditions, the third vow is understood as avoiding all forms of intake except what is essential and permitted

In common Jain usage, tivihar often refers to not eating and not drinking after a certain point, especially after sunset.

2) Chauvihar

Chauvihar means four-fold renunciation:

• No food
• No water
• No eating any uncooked or cooked items
• No intake of anything after sunset

In practical Jain observance, Chauvihar is the stricter vow, where a person does not consume anything after sunset until sunrise.

Simple difference

• Tivihar = fewer restrictions
• Chauvihar = stricter restriction

Spiritual meaning

Both are practiced to support:

• Ahimsa: avoiding harm to living beings
• Self-discipline
• Detachment
• Purity of conduct

In Jain tradition, these vows are especially observed during Paryushan, fasts, and daily spiritual discipline.