Answer

During Paryushan, Jains traditionally eat simple, sattvik, non-violent food and avoid foods that involve greater harm to living beings.

Commonly allowed foods may include:

• Simple grains such as wheat, rice, bajra, jowar, etc.
• Dal and pulses, depending on family tradition
• Cooked vegetables that are allowed in your tradition
• Milk, curd, ghee, and buttermilk, if your practice permits
• Fruits, if allowed according to your household or sect tradition
• Dry fruits and nuts
• Simple food prepared fresh before sunset

Foods Usually Avoided

During Paryushan, many Jains avoid:

• Root vegetables such as potato, onion, garlic, carrot, beetroot, radish, sweet potato, etc.
• Green leafy vegetables, especially during stricter observance
• Fermented foods
• Stale or leftover food
• Food eaten after sunset
• Honey
• Alcohol, meat, eggs, and all non-vegetarian food — these are always avoided in Jain Dharma

Explanation

Paryushan is a time of purification, self-discipline, forgiveness, and reduction of harm. Food is kept simple so that the mind becomes calmer and one can focus more on:

• Samayik
• Pratikraman
• Swadhyay
• Tapasya
• Forgiveness and inner cleansing

Different Jain families, sects, and local traditions may follow different rules. Some people do upvas, ekasana, beasana, ayambil, or other forms of tapasya.

Spiritual Understanding

The purpose of Paryushan food discipline is not only “what to eat,” but also to reduce attachment to taste. Eating less, eating simply, and eating with awareness helps strengthen ahimsa, sanyam, and atma-shuddhi.

Takeaway

Eat simple, fresh, non-root, non-violent vegetarian food, preferably before sunset, and follow the guidance of your family tradition, guru, or sangh during Paryushan.