Why paryushan exists and why it is celebrated between certain tithis only

Paryushan is the most intensive annual period of self‑purification in Jain Dharma. The word “Paryuṣaṇa” means “to stay close” — staying close to the soul, to one’s vows, and to the path. During these days Jains focus on:

• Fasting and restraint (tapa, saiyam)
• Daily pratikraman (introspection and repentance)
• Svādhyāy (study of scriptures)
• Kṣamā (asking and granting forgiveness), culminating in “Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṁ”

Why it exists

• To reduce karmic bondage through penance, forgiveness, and right conduct.
• To renew vows and discipline for the year ahead.
• To use the monsoon “cāturmās” period, when monks/nuns traditionally stay in one place, for deeper teaching, confession, and reform.

Why it is celebrated only between certain tithis

• Jain observances follow the lunar calendar. Paryushan is placed in the Bhadrapada month of cāturmās so that the eight or ten days align with auspicious lunar tithis that support collective fasting, scriptural recitation, and forgiveness.
• The tithis also ensure that the principal forgiveness day is properly situated:

- Śvetāmbara tradition: Eight‑day Paryushan (often called “Aṭhāī”), concluding with Samvatsarī—the grand forgiveness day—observed on Bhadrapada Śukla Pañcamī. Local sanghs fix the exact start based on the pañchāṅg and any adhik/ksaya tithi adjustments so that Samvatsarī falls on Pañcamī. - Digambara tradition: The ten‑day Daśalakṣaṇa‑Parva begins the day after Śvetāmbara Samvatsarī and runs through Bhadrapada Śukla Caturdaśī (Ananta Caturdaśī). Kṣamāvaṇī (universal forgiveness) is observed at the end of this period (some communities mark it on Caturdaśī, others on the following day, depending on regional practice).

Important notes

• The exact civil dates vary each year because the tithis are lunar. Sanghs announce them annually according to the local Jain calendar.
• The essence is the same in both traditions: purify the self, cultivate the ten virtues (kṣamā, mārdava, ārjava, śauca, satya, saṃyama, tapa, tyāga, akiñcanya, brahmacarya), and end with wholehearted forgiveness.