What is Paryushan?

Paryushan (Paryuṣaṇ/Parvadhiraj) is Jainism’s most important annual spiritual festival. It comes during the monsoon months (usually Aug–Sep) and is meant for deep self-purification—reducing karmas through restraint, study, repentance, and forgiveness.

Why it is observed

• To “stay close” to the soul and to vows; the word Paryushan means settling near one’s inner self through discipline.
• To strengthen right faith, right knowledge, right conduct, and austerity.

Main practices

• Daily pratikraman (introspection and repentance)
• Fasting and other tapas (from simple upavās to longer fasts)
• Swādhyāy (scripture study) and satsang
• Practicing nonviolence in thought, word, and deed; compassion to all beings
• Kshamāpanā—seeking and granting forgiveness to everyone

Shwetāmbara and Digambara traditions

• Shwetāmbara: 8-day Paryushan Parva, culminating in Samvatsari—the grand day of universal forgiveness, when Jains say “Micchami Dukkadam” (may my faults be forgiven).
• Digambara: 10-day Das Lakshan Parva, focusing each day on one supreme virtue (kshamā, mārdava, ārjava, shaucha, satya, samyam, tapa, tyāg, ākinchanya, brahmacharya), ending with Anant Chaturdashi and Kshamāvaṇi (Forgiveness Day).

Essence

• Paryushan is not a social festival but a time to turn inward—reflect, repent, forgive, and renew one’s commitment to ahimsā and the vows. The ideal way to conclude it is with universal forgiveness extended to all beings, and accepting others’ forgiveness.