Chaumās (Chaturmās) is the four holy months of special sādhanā. For householders (shrāvaks–shrāvikās), keep life simple, pure, and disciplined.

What to do in Chaumās (general for all Jains)

• Ahimsā in food and conduct

- Be extra careful with water and food (filter water, avoid stale/fermented foods). - Strictly avoid root vegetables; reduce varieties and quantity; prefer fresh, simple meals. - Follow chauvihār (no night-eating); when possible do ekāsan/bi-san, aayambil, or upvās on chosen days.

• Daily sādhanā

- Navkār Mantra jāp with devotion. - Samāyik (about 48 minutes), pratikraman (at least pakshik; daily during the main festival days), and pratyākhyān (resolutions). - Swādhyāy: study authentic Jain scriptures; listen to sādhus’ pravachans if available. - Meditate on kshamā (forgiveness), maitri (friendliness), and aparigraha (limiting possessions).

• Vratas and good conduct

- Strengthen anuvratas; take special chaumās pachchakkhāṇ (personal vows) you can keep. - Practice brahmacharya on chosen days. - Control speech, avoid gossip/anger; keep truthfulness and humility.

• Dāna and jiv-dayā

- Help panjarāpols and care for living beings; support genuine religious activities and monks’ needs.

• Saṃyam in lifestyle

- Reduce travel, entertainment, and indulgence; keep the home atmosphere calm and satsang-oriented.

Special observances within Chaumās

• Shwetāmbars: Paryushan Mahāparva (8 days, in Bhādrapad)

- Daily pratikraman and swādhyāy; listening to Kalpasūtra. - Samvatsarī Pratikraman on the last day; ask forgiveness (Michhami Dukkadam) from all beings.

• Digambars: Das-Lakshan Mahāparva (10 days, starting Bhādrapad Shukla Panchamī)

- Reflect each day on one virtue (uttam kshamā, mārdava, ārjava, shaucha, satya, saṃyam, tapa, tyāg, ākiñchanya, brahmacharya). - Kshamāvani (Forgiveness Day) is observed after the 10th day.

Why this period is special

• Monks/nuns stay in one place; laypeople gain more opportunities for pravachan, swādhyāy, and taking vows.
• The spirit is inner purification: reducing new karmas and shedding old ones through right faith, knowledge, and conduct.

If you are new, start simple and steady

• Choose 2–3 firm vows you can surely keep for all four months (e.g., no night-eating, daily Navkār, weekly upvās or aayambil, fixed time for samāyik/pratikraman).
• Add jiv-dayā and regular swādhyāy. Consistency is more important than quantity.

May your Chaumās be filled with kshamā (forgiveness), saṃyam (self-restraint), and shraddhā (right faith).