Answer

Paryushan is one of the most important Jain festivals of spiritual purification, self-discipline, forgiveness, and inner reflection.

It is a time when Jains focus more deeply on:

• Ahimsa — non-violence
• Samyag Darshan — right faith
• Samyag Gyan — right knowledge
• Samyag Charitra — right conduct
• Tapasya — fasting and austerity
• Pratikraman — repentance for wrong actions
• Kshamapana — asking forgiveness

In the Śvetāmbara tradition, Paryushan is generally observed for 8 days. In the Digambara tradition, the related festival is called Das Lakshan Parva, observed for 10 days.

Explanation

The word Paryushan is commonly understood as a time of “coming closer to the soul” or “staying near the soul.” During this period, Jains reduce worldly activities and increase religious practices such as:

• Listening to scriptures and religious discourses
• Performing Pratikraman
• Observing fasts like Ekasana, Upvas, Atthai, etc.
• Practicing forgiveness and humility
• Reflecting on one’s mistakes

For Śvetāmbara Jains, an important part of Paryushan is the reading of the Kalpa Sutra, which includes the life of Bhagwan Mahavir and details about Tirthankars and Jain monastic discipline.

The final day is known as Samvatsari, the great day of forgiveness. On this day, Jains say:

Michhami Dukkadam

meaning: “If I have hurt you knowingly or unknowingly, through mind, speech, or body, I ask for forgiveness.”

Since How Many Years Does Paryushan Exist?

Paryushan is an ancient Jain tradition. It has existed for well over 2,500 years, going back to the time of Bhagwan Mahavir and the early Jain monastic community.

Its roots are connected with the Jain practice of monks and nuns staying in one place during the rainy season, known as Chaturmas. During the rains, travel was avoided to protect small living beings that increase during that season. This became a period of deeper study, discipline, repentance, and spiritual purification.

So, while the exact historical starting year is not stated in a simple modern calendar form, Paryushan is clearly part of the very ancient Jain religious tradition and has been practiced for approximately more than 2,500 years.

Spiritual Understanding

Paryushan is not only a festival; it is a spiritual opportunity. Jain Dharma teaches that the soul becomes burdened by karma through anger, ego, deceit, greed, violence, attachment, and carelessness.

During Paryushan, one tries to purify the soul by:

• Recognizing one’s faults
• Reducing passions
• Asking forgiveness
• Forgiving others
• Practicing self-control
• Strengthening compassion for all living beings

Takeaway

Paryushan is the Jain festival of inner cleansing, forgiveness, fasting, repentance, and returning closer to the pure nature of the soul. It has been practiced for more than 2,500 years within Jain tradition.