What is choviar

Choviar (also written Chauvihar/Chovihar) is a Jain practice of not taking any food or water after sunset until sunrise the next day. It is observed to protect night‑living beings (ahimsa) and to develop self‑control (sanyam).

How people observe it

• Everyday Choviar: Eat and drink only before sunset. After sunset, nothing at all (not even water) until the next sunrise.
• Choviar Upvas (fast): No food the whole day; only boiled/filtered water during daylight. After sunset, no water either.
• Tivihar (related term): Food is stopped earlier, and only boiled/filtered water is allowed during daylight; after sunset, nothing.

Tradition notes

• Shvetambar: In fasts, boiled/filtered water may be taken only in daylight; after sunset, none (this is Choviar).
• Digambar: Also avoid eating after sunset; in stricter forms, even water is limited to daylight, and after sunset none.

Purpose

• Ahimsa: Avoid harming tiny beings more active at night.
• Sanyam: Build discipline and mindfulness in eating and drinking.
• Cleanliness and health: Keep digestion light before night practices like Pratikraman and meditation.

This is a long‑standing, core household vow in Jain conduct and is practiced more strictly during Paryushan and other vrats.