Answer

The biggest and most important festival in Jain Dharma is Paryushan Parva.

Explanation

Paryushan is a sacred period of spiritual purification, self-discipline, repentance, forgiveness, and study of Dharma.

It is observed especially through:

• Pratikraman – repentance for mistakes
• Tapasya – fasting and self-control
• Swadhyay – study of Jain teachings
• Samayik – equanimity and meditation
• Kshamapana – asking forgiveness from all living beings

Among Śvetāmbara Jains, Paryushan is usually observed for 8 days. Among Digambara Jains, the related festival is called Das Lakshan Parva, observed for 10 days.

Spiritual Understanding

Paryushan reminds Jains to turn inward, reduce passions like anger, ego, deceit, and greed, and purify the soul through forgiveness and discipline.

Takeaway

In Jain Dharma, Paryushan is considered the greatest festival because it is not mainly about celebration, but about inner purification and liberation of the soul.