Answer

Śvetāmbara Jains celebrate Paryushan Parva as an important period of self-purification, repentance, forgiveness, study, and tapasya. It is observed for 8 days, ending with Samvatsari, the great day of universal forgiveness.

Explanation

During Paryushan, Śvetāmbara Jains generally focus on:

• Pratikraman: Performing daily repentance for wrong thoughts, words, and actions.
• Samayik: Practicing equanimity and meditation.
• Fasting and Tapasya: Many observe fasts such as ekasana, beasana, upvas, atthai, or other austerities according to their capacity.
• Scriptural Listening: Discourses are held in temples and upashrays. The Kalpa Sutra is traditionally read during Paryushan in Śvetāmbara tradition.
• Worship and Devotion: Devotees visit temples, do puja, listen to pravachans, and increase spiritual reflection.
• Self-Control: Special care is taken to avoid violence, anger, pride, deceit, greed, gossip, and unnecessary worldly activities.

Samvatsari

The last day of Śvetāmbara Paryushan is called Samvatsari. On this day, Jains perform Samvatsari Pratikraman, which is considered very important.

After this, they ask forgiveness from all living beings by saying:

Micchami Dukkadam

This means: “If I have hurt you knowingly or unknowingly, through thought, word, or action, may my wrongdoings be forgiven.”

Spiritual Understanding

Paryushan is not mainly a festival of outer celebration. It is a festival of the soul. The purpose is to reduce karmas, purify conduct, increase compassion, and move closer to the path of liberation.

Takeaway

Śvetāmbara Jains celebrate Paryushan through fasting, repentance, scripture study, devotion, forgiveness, and inner purification, with Samvatsari and Micchami Dukkadam as its central spiritual highlight.