Answer

There is no compulsory rule in Jain Dharma that an Athai Parna must be done as a grand event.

The most important part of Athai is the tapasya, bhav, pachchakhān, and proper Parna. The celebration around it is a matter of family tradition, sangh custom, convenience, and personal capacity.

You can absolutely do the Parna simply at home with close family. It does not have to be a big function.

Explanation

For an Athai, the usual flow is:

• The tapasvi completes 8 days of fasting according to the pachchakhān taken.
• On the day of Parna, the fast is ended properly, usually in the morning, with suitable food/drink as guided by elders or guru bhagwant where available.
• Family members may do anumodanā, seek blessings, and offer respect to the tapasvi.
• Some families invite relatives, do darshan, sangh anumodanā, or arrange a meal, but this is social/customary, not mandatory.

Calling relatives for pachchakhān on the 7th day is also a family/social way of doing anumodanā. It does not create a religious requirement that the 9th day Parna must be larger or grander.

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, tapasya is not measured by the size of the event. It is measured by:

• purity of intention,
• inner detachment,
• humility,
• discipline,
• and spiritual upliftment.

A simple Parna done with devotion, calmness, and proper maryādā is spiritually meaningful. A grand event is fine only if it remains centered on anumodanā, not show, pressure, ego, or excess.

Usual Go-To

Many families commonly do one of these:

• Simple home Parna: close family, prayers, blessings, and light Parna arrangement.
• Small family gathering: relatives come for anumodanā and Parna.
• Sangh/community Parna: if the tapasvi or family wishes, and if it is customary in that sangh.
• Grand function: optional, usually based on family tradition and capacity.

None of these is automatically “more religious” than the other.

Takeaway

You may do the Athai Parna simply at home with close family. There is no necessity to make it a grand event. The best way is the one done with shraddhā, humility, proper Parna, and sincere anumodanā.