In Jain Dharma, we avoid eating after sunset and before sunrise to protect life and to cultivate self‑discipline. This daily practice is called chauvihār (chovihar).

Main reasons

• Ahimsa (non‑violence): After sunset countless tiny beings (insects, microorganisms) become more active and are harder to see. Cooking, serving, or eating at night risks harming or ingesting them. Not eating or drinking at night reduces this himsā.
• Carefulness in water and food: In the dark, impurities and living beings in food/water are less visible. Stopping food and water after sunset safeguards carefulness (samiti) and restraint (sanyam).
• Discipline and health: Keeping meals in daylight supports regularity, lighter digestion before rest, and freedom from indulgence in taste.

How it is observed

• Chauvihār: After local sunset, no food and no water until the next sunrise.
• Daytime only: Meals and permitted water are taken in daylight, finishing a little before sunset.

By tradition

• Śvetāmbara: Laypeople commonly keep full chauvihār—no food and no water after sunset. In fasts, even daytime water is boiled/filtered and avoided after sunset.
• Digambara: The same principle—no eating after sunset. Strict observance allows only boiled (ukālelū) and filtered water in daylight; none after sunset.
• Sādhus/sādhvīs of both traditions are stricter: food only in daylight (often before noon), never after sunset.

Allowances

• If genuinely required for health (medicine, severe illness, very elderly, infants), minimal intake may be taken as aushadhi with proper inner repentance/vow (pachchakkhān/pratyākhyān) according to one’s tradition and guidance.

Essence

• Night‑eating (rātribhojana) is renounced to uphold ahimsa every day. This simple discipline purifies conduct and supports spiritual progress.

Helpful references

• Why chovihar is done
• Scientific/health reasons summarized
• What exactly is chovihar and related terms
• Chauvihār water timing and practical tips