Answer

Here is a practical list of the most important dates and observances in the Jain calendar. Please note: exact tithis can vary by sect, region, and local panchang, especially between Śvetāmbara and Digambara traditions.

Important Jain Dates

• Mahavir Janma Kalyanak — Chaitra Shukla 13

Birth anniversary of Bhagwan Mahavir.

• Akshaya Tritiya — Vaishakh Shukla 3

Associated with the first ahar of Bhagwan Rishabhdev.

• Paryushan Parva — usually in Bhadrapada

Most important period of spiritual reflection, fasting, and forgiveness for Śvetāmbara Jains.

• Samvatsari — the final day of Paryushan

The great day of forgiveness: “Micchami Dukkadam.”

• Das Lakshan Parva — usually in Bhadrapada

Ten days of deep reflection on the ten supreme virtues, especially important for Digambara Jains.

• Kshamavani — forgiveness day after Das Lakshan

A very important day of pardon and mutual forgiveness.

• Mahavir Nirvan / Diwali — Kartik Amavasya

The liberation day of Bhagwan Mahavir. Many Jains also begin the new year from this period.

• New Jain Year / Varsh Pratipada — Kartik Shukla 1

The first day of the Jain new year.

• Navpad Oli — occurs twice a year

A 9-day period of austerity and worship, usually around Chaitra and Ashwin.

• Ayambil Oli — occurs twice a year

A 9-day fasting and purification period, also usually around Chaitra and Ashwin.

• Ashtahnika Parva — three times a year

An important Digambara observance held for 8 days in: - Ashadha - Kartik - Phalgun

Explanation

The Jain calendar is lunar-lunisolar, so the dates move each year in the English calendar. Also, some observances are universal, while others are sect-specific:

• Śvetāmbara Jains give special importance to Paryushan and Samvatsari.
• Digambara Jains give special importance to Das Lakshan and Kshamavani.

Many families and sanghs also observe the kalyanaks of other Tirthankars, but those dates can differ based on the specific Tirthankar and tradition.

Spiritual Understanding

These dates are not just festival days. In Jain Dharma, they are reminders to:

• practice ahimsa
• reduce attachment and anger
• increase self-discipline
• do pratikraman
• seek and give forgiveness
• move toward shuddhi and moksha

The most important inner meaning of the Jain calendar is spiritual purification.

Takeaway

If you want the main Jain yearly dates, remember these first:

• Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
• Paryushan / Samvatsari
• Das Lakshan / Kshamavani
• Mahavir Nirvan (Diwali)
• Akshaya Tritiya
• Navpad Oli
• Ayambil Oli

If you need, I can also make this into a month-by-month Jain calendar list in a simple table.