Meaning of chauvihar

In Jainism, Chauvihar refers to the strict practice of complete fasting from food and water after sunset until sunrise the next day. The term comes from Sanskrit: "chatuḥ" meaning "four" and "vihāra" meaning "abstinence" or "restrictions." It denotes abstaining from the four types of intake (food, water, chewing, and licking) during the night.

Chauvihar is observed to minimize harm to living beings (ahimsa), as many microorganisms become active at night, and to enhance spiritual discipline. It is a common and significant vow (vrata) among both Jain laypeople (shravaks and shravikas) and ascetics, especially during the period of Paryushan and on regular days as a daily discipline.