Two of the most important festivals for the Jains are Paryushana (Paryusan) and Diwali OR Pratikramana (Samayika): Renewal meditation
The original Prakrit (ardhamagadhi) term for Paryushana is “Pajjo-savana”. In case of Jain terms, the Prakrit forms of the words are the original.
“Parismantadushayante dhante karmani yasimannasau paryushnm”
Paryushana is staying of the monks in one place. In popular terminology, this stay is termed chaturmasa because the rainy season is regarded to be about four months. However, the minimum duration of Paryushanaa is regarded to be 70 days. For this minimum duration, Paryushana must be initiated by panchami (fifth day) of the shukla phase of the Bhadrapada month. In the scriptures it is described that Lord Mahavira used to start Paryushana on Bhadrapada Shukla panchami. After Lord Mahavir, nearly 150 years Jain Samvatsari was shifted to Chaturthi (4 th day of Bhadrapada of Shukla phase. since 2200 years jains follows Chaturthi.
Paryushan Parva is an annual religious festival of the Jains. In Jainisim, fasting is considered as a spiritual activity, that purify our souls, improve morality, spiritual power, increase knowledge and strengthen relationships. The purpose is to purify our souls by staying closer to our own souls, looking at our faults and asking for forgiveness for the mistakes and taking vows to minimize our faults.
Religious and spiritual discourses are held where tales of Lord Mahavira are narrated. The Namokar Mantra is chanted everyday. At the end of Fasting, all will ask for forgiveness for any violence or wrongdoings they may have imposed previous year
Digambara Jains observe it for a period of ten days during which Dashalakshana vrata is undertaken. Tatwartha Sutra of Umaswati is recited. They celebrate Ananta- Chaturdasi on the Chaturdasi.
Svwetambara Jains celebrate it as an 8 day festival which ends with Bhadarpada Shukla Panchami. Kalpa Sutra is recited including the section of birth of birth of Lord Mahavira. The last day is called Samvatsari.
The date for the Paryushana festival is thus Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi for both major sects. Because of computational and other differences, there can be some minor differences among various subsects. Recently there has been an attempt standardize the date.
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