Paryushana or Daslakshana is the most important annual holy events for Jains and is usually celebrated in August or September. It lasts 8–10 days beginning from August 18 to August 25 this year and is a time when Śrāvakas (lay people) increase their level of spiritual intensity often using fasting and prayer/meditation to help. The five main vows are emphasized during this time. There are no set rules, and followers are encouraged to practice according to their ability and desires. Paryushana 2017 is another time of the year when the Jain followers will practice vows – Ahimsa (Non-violence), Satya (Truth), Asteya (Non-stealing), Brahmacharya (Chastity) and Aparigraha (Non-possession) according to their ability and desires.
Paryushana derived its name from Paryusana meaning “abiding and coming together”, with the monks staying in one place and is a time when the Jains take five main vows of study and fasting. Normally, Digambaras refer it as Das Lakshana Dharma while Śvētāmbaras refer to it as Paryushana (“abiding” or “coming together”). The duration of Paryushana is for eight days for Śvētāmbara Jains and ten days for Jains belonging to the Digambara sect. The festival ends with the celebration of Kshamavani (forgiveness day).
Paryushan 2017 will begin on August 18 at 1 am, and several Jains celebrate this week long festival according to their abilities. During Paryushana, Jains observe a fast. The span of the fast can last from a day to 30 days or even more. In the Digambara sect, Sravakas (laymen) do not take food and/or water (boiled) more than once in a day when observing fasts, while those of the Śvētāmbara sect observing a fast survive on boiled water which is consumed only between sunrise and sunset.
Paryushana 2017 Date:
The date of Paryushana is Bhadra Shukla Chaturthi, and the observance begins by the Panchami (the fifth day) of the Shukla Paksha phase of Bhadra. According to Shrimad Rajchandra Mission, the festival of Paryushana Parva begins on Friday, August 18 with the Snatra Puja in the morning and Bhakti and Pravachan in the evening. The last day of Paryushan, which is also celebrated as Kshamavani or forgiveness day by Svetambara, falls on August 25, 2017.
At the conclusion of the festival, the Sravakas request each other for forgiveness for all offenses committed during the last year. This occurs on the Paryusha day for the Śvētāmbara and on Pratipada (first) of Ashwin Krashna for the Digambara. Forgiveness is asked by saying Micchami Dukkadam or Uttam Kshama to each other. It means “If I have caused you offence in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought word or deed, then I seek your forgiveness”.
Paryushana History & Significance:
Jains celebrate this festival of forgiveness and reflection by observing fasts and also indulging in several spiritually enlightening session of meditation. The celebration of Paryushana is observed by reciting the ten chapters of Tattvartha Sutra for Digambara Jains, who also organize several processions. The Svetambaras celebrate the festival by reciting Kalpa Sutra, which is a Jain text.
Paryushana Fasting Rituals:
During Paryushana, Jains observe a fast. The span of the fast can last from a day to 30 days or even more. In the Digambara sect, Sravakas (laymen) do not take food and/or water (boiled) more than once in a day when observing fasts, while those of the Śvētāmbara sect observing a fast survive on boiled water which is consumed only between sunrise and sunset.
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