Jain Living Guide ✦ Pachkhan, Temples, Stavan & Tirthankara ✦ Pure. Knowledge. Tradition ✦ Rooted in Jainism

Jainism · Festival

Paryushan Parva

The most sacred festival of the Jain year — days of fasting, prayer, self-examination and finally asking forgiveness of every living being.

What is Paryushan?

Paryushan (Paryushana Parva) is the most important festival of the Jain year, observed each year in the month of Bhadrapad. It is a time of intense spiritual discipline — fasting, prayer, meditation, and listening to the sacred scriptures. The word Paryushan conveys the idea of "abiding near" — drawing close to one’s own soul and to the eternal teachings of the Tirthankaras.

During Paryushan, Jains renew the five great vows (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya and Aparigraha), deepen their practice of repentance (Pratikraman), and seek to purify the heart. The festival unites Jains in a common purpose: inner renewal, compassion and forgiveness.

How the two traditions observe it

Jainism’s two great traditions keep this sacred season in their own way. Shvetambara Jains observe Paryushan for eight days, centred on the recitation of the Kalpa Sutra, and end on Samvatsari — the great day of forgiveness. Digambara Jains observe Das Lakshana Parva for ten days immediately after, devoting each day to one of the ten supreme virtues of the soul, and end with Kshamavani.

Both traditions share the same heart: on the final day of forgiveness, Jains approach one another and ask pardon with the words "Micchhami Dukkadam" — "may all my faults be forgiven".

Core practices during Paryushan

Practices vary with each individual’s capacity and devotion, but the spirit is shared by all:

  • Fasting (Upvas) of varying strictness — from a single meal to full waterless fasting
  • Pratikraman — the daily ritual of repentance and self-review
  • Listening to the Kalpa Sutra and other scriptures
  • Renouncing worldly distractions and strengthening restraint
  • Serving the sangh and caring for every living being in the spirit of Ahimsa
  • Seeking and granting forgiveness, ending with "Micchhami Dukkadam"

Paryushan 2026 dates at a glance

The dates follow the Jain lunar calendar, so they move each year and can vary by a day between panchangs and regions — please confirm the exact days with your local derasar or sangh. For 2026, the Shvetambara Paryushan runs 8 to 15 September and the Digambara Das Lakshana Parva 15 to 24 September (with Kshamavani on 25 September):

Paryushan 2026 – Shvetambara day-by-day (8–15 September)
Date 2026DaySignificance
8 SeptemberTuesdayParyushan begins – taking the vows of self-restraint for the eight days, first Pratikraman, welcome of the Kalpa Sutra reading
9 SeptemberWednesdayDeepening of fasting, daily Pratikraman and listening to the Kalpa Sutra narration of the Tirthankaras’ lives
10 SeptemberThursdayContinued scripture reading and meditation; strengthening of daily vows and Ahimsa practices
11 SeptemberFridayPratikraman and introspection continue; the community grows closer in shared devotion and restraint
12 SeptemberSaturdayDeep reflection on the lives of the Tirthankaras; the reading of the Kalpa Sutra reaches its central episodes
13 SeptemberSundayRepeated Pratikraman, fasting intensifies for many; focus on inner purification and the renunciation of faults
14 SeptemberMondayFinal preparations for Samvatsari; many undertake the Samvatsari Pratikraman practice and settle all conflicts
15 SeptemberTuesdaySamvatsari – the great day of forgiveness. All Jains seek and grant pardon with "Micchhami Dukkadam", freeing the mind for the new year
Das Lakshana Parva 2026 – Digambara day-by-day (15–24 September, Kshamavani 25 September)
Date 2026DaySupreme virtue (Uttam Dharma)
15 SeptemberTuesdayUttam Kshama – supreme forgiveness
16 SeptemberWednesdayUttam Mardava – supreme humility
17 SeptemberThursdayUttam Arjava – supreme straightforwardness
18 SeptemberFridayUttam Shaucha – supreme contentment, free of greed
19 SeptemberSaturdayUttam Satya – supreme truthfulness
20 SeptemberSundayUttam Sanyama – supreme self-restraint
21 SeptemberMondayUttam Tapa – supreme austerity
22 SeptemberTuesdayUttam Tyaga – supreme renunciation
23 SeptemberWednesdayUttam Akinchanya – supreme non-attachment (poverty of spirit)
24 SeptemberThursdayUttam Brahmacharya – supreme chastity of thought and deed; Kshamavani follows on 25 September

Articles