Paryushan festival begins today: Jain community embarks on days of devotion

One of the most significant festivals in Jainism, Parvadhiraj Paryushan, begun on Wednesday. 

“This year, in more than 260 Jain congregations of the city, revered Jain leaders, including Tapagacchadhipati Acharya Munoharkirtisagarji, Gacchadhipati Acharya Hemchandrasuriji, Gacchadhipati Acharya Naradevsagarsuriji, along with around 55 Jain Acharyas and over 1,500 monks and nuns, are present. Currently, in every congregation of the city, rigorous austerities such as Atthai Tap (8-day fast), Solbhath (16-day fast), Masakshaman (monthly fast), and Siddhitap are being observed,” said Bhadresh Shah of Jain Yuvak Mahasangh.

On August 24, the reading of Lord Mahavir Swami’s birth will be held, while on the 27th, Samvatsari will be observed.

This eight-day festival, which nourishes virtue (poshan) and diminishes sins (shoshan), is observed with strict adherence to non-violence. 

During these eight days, Jain temples of the city will be adorned for the Lord, while discourses, paushadh (renunciation practices), and other spiritual activities will be organised in upashrayas (monastic community halls). 

Large numbers of Jains will perform pratikraman (ritual introspection) in the mornings and evenings. The festival of nurturing virtue and purifying the soul is an age-old tradition of Jain Dharma. 

In the first three days of Paryushan, discourses are given on the text Ashtalika.

From the fourth day onwards, the reading of the Kalpasutra begins. Of the eight days of Paryushan, seven are dedicated to worship, and the eighth day is the day of attainment (siddhi)—when the Samvatsari Pratikraman is performed.