In Jain Dharma, the logic of chovihar is not only about light or darkness. It is mainly about ending all eating and drinking after sunset and avoiding the period when small जीव are more easily harmed and discipline becomes weaker.

Why chovihar is followed

Chovihar is observed because after sunset:

• visibility becomes poor,
• tiny जीव can be harmed more easily,
• food and water are more likely to contain or attract जीव,
• eating at night increases indulgence and reduces restraint.

What about electric lights?

Even if there is electric light, the traditional vow does not change. Electric light may remove darkness for the human eye, but in Jain view:

• the natural cycle of day and night still exists,
• the risk of subtle हिंसा is not considered fully removed,
• the vow is based on discipline and restraint, not only on visibility.

So, electric light does not become a reason to cancel chovihar.

What about cooking?

Cooking after sunset is generally avoided in strict Jain observance because:

• it involves handling and transforming food at night,
• it may lead to more हिंसा,
• it encourages eating after the prescribed time,
• it weakens the spirit of संयम.

So even if cooking is possible with electric light, the principle of chovihar still applies.

Core Jain understanding

The essence is:

• don’t eat or drink after sunset,
• don’t rely on artificial convenience to bypass vow-based discipline,
• follow the vow in the spirit of ahimsa, restraint, and purity.

Simple conclusion

Electric lights and modern cooking methods do not change the Jain meaning of chovihar. Chovihar is a vow of self-restraint and non-violence, not just a rule about darkness.

If you want, I can also explain the difference between chovihar, tivihar, and ekasana in Jain practice.