Each year, amid all the rush and noise of life, a festival arrives that feels less like a celebration and more like a pause button. We are talking about Paryushana, a festival which, among Jains, is considered the most sacred stretch of days. For some, it lasts eight days. For others, ten. But the length doesn’t matter here. What is important is the feeling. For a short time, people turn their attention inward; they slow down, take stock of how they’ve been living, and try to lighten the load they carry in their minds and hearts.

From wandering to stillness: The roots of Paryushan

The word Paryushan loosely translates to ‘stay close’ or ‘to settle in.’ It is said that long back, it was the rainy season that set the rhythm for the festival. Monks and nuns, who usually wandered from place to place, would stop moving during the rains and stay with communities. And in that pause, something opened up. Ordinary people also could sit with them, listen to their words, ask questions, and even take on vows themselves. For a few days, life leaned toward the simple and the sacred.

This year, Paryushana begins on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

Traditions That Define Paryushana

Paryushana is all about going back to the core of Jain philosophy: non-violence, truth, restraint, and forgiveness. Every day, people set aside time for offering prayers and meditation. Some read scriptures, especially the Kalpa Sutra, which tells the life story of Lord Mahavira. Sometimes, in towns across India, the text is carried in a small procession through the streets, as if the words themselves are touching and cleansing everything around them. This festival carries the spirit community, and of course, food takes on its own meaning. Not just vegetarianism, but going further, avoiding onions, garlic, root vegetables, and anything that harms the plant at its root. Meals become simpler, quieter, turning eating into a reminder to live gently.

Fasting and self-discipline

Fasting is one of the most important aspects of Paryushana. Some take it to the extreme: no food at all, only water, sometimes boiled. For all eight or ten days. Others find their own way: one meal a day, or lighter foods, or giving up things that feel like indulgence. It is easy to see it as a hardship, but that’s not really the point. Fasting during Paryushana is more about clearing the fog. When you cut down the needs of the body, you suddenly notice how busy the mind has been. And in that space, it is easier to hear yourself, to pray, and to reflect. The fast is often broken surrounded by family and friends. They are fed by loved ones, sometimes with just a small bite of food or a sip of water. It is tender, almost ceremonial. 

The heart of  Paryushana: Forgiveness

And then comes the last day, the one that holds everything together. For Shvetambaras, it is called Samvatsari, for Digambaras, it is known as Kshamavani. Whatever the name, the meaning is forgiveness. People look back at the entire year, reflect upon the things they have said, the harm they may have caused, whether through words, thoughts, or actions. And they ask forgiveness. Not only from friends or family, but from everyone. There is a phrase said often on this day, ‘Micchami Dukkadam.’ It means: If I have hurt you in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, I ask your forgiveness. It is very simple, but it has a lot of weight to it. Saying those words reminds one that grudges, anger, and pride do not help you live well. Letting go feels like putting down a heavy bag you didn’t need to carry all this time.

Why does Paryushana still matter?

Once upon a time, this season of reflection fit naturally with the monsoon. The rains slowed work and travel. People stayed in one place. Life turned inward almost on its own. Jains gave that natural pause a spiritual shape. Today, in cities and countries far from that old rhythm, the essence is still the same. Stop for a while. Look at yourself honestly. Let go of what’s heavy. Return to compassion, non-violence, and truth.

And maybe that is the real point. Paryushana is not just about eight or ten days. It is about carrying a bit of that spirit with you afterwards. You forgive more easily. You eat with a little more awareness. You remember to slow down and reflect, not just when the festival tells you to, but whenever life feels too loud.

Ask Agastyaa. Let AstroSure.ai help you embrace forgiveness, simplicity, and inner clarity this Paryushan, guiding your spirit toward balance and renewal