Answer

Paryushan is celebrated for 8 days mainly in the Śvetāmbara Jain tradition because this duration is traditionally connected with the observance of Kalpa Sūtra reading, repentance, self-discipline, and spiritual purification, ending with Samvatsari Pratikraman, the great day of forgiveness.

In the Digambara Jain tradition, the corresponding festival is usually observed as Daśalakṣaṇa Parva, which lasts for 10 days.

Explanation

The word Paryushan means staying close to the soul, or turning inward spiritually. During these days, Jains focus more deeply on:

• Pratikraman
• Fasting and self-restraint
• Listening to scriptures
• Forgiveness
• Reducing attachment and passions
• Strengthening right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct

In the Śvetāmbara tradition, the 8-day observance culminates in Samvatsari, when Jains perform yearly repentance and ask forgiveness with the feeling of:

Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṁ — “May all my faults be forgiven.”

The 8 days are not meant as a limit on spirituality, but as a traditional sacred period specially set aside for intense inner purification.

Spiritual Understanding

The purpose of Paryushan is not merely the number of days. Its deeper purpose is to awaken the soul by reducing anger, ego, deceit, greed, violence, and attachment.

Even though the festival is observed for 8 days, the qualities practiced during Paryushan should continue throughout life.

Takeaway

Paryushan is celebrated for 8 days in the Śvetāmbara tradition as a sacred period of repentance, discipline, scripture, and forgiveness, ending with Samvatsari. The true goal is not just completing 8 days, but becoming spiritually purer.