Paryushan 2027

About Paryushan

Paryushan, or Paryushana Parva, is the holiest Jain observance of the year: eight days of fasting, scripture study and self-examination for Svetambara Jains, followed by the ten-day Das Lakshan for Digambara Jains. It falls in the monsoon month of Bhadrapada and ends in a day of asking forgiveness. In 2027 the Svetambara Paryushan begins on Saturday, 28 August 2027.

What is Paryushan and why is it observed?

Paryushan is the annual period when Jains step back from ordinary life to fast, listen to scripture and examine their conduct over the past year. The word is usually explained as "abiding" or "staying in one place". It comes from the old rule that Jain monks and nuns, who normally walk from town to town, must stop for the four months of the monsoon, called chaturmas, so they do not crush the insects and seedlings that fill the wet ground. Lay Jains gathered around the resident monks and nuns to hear them teach, and Paryushan grew out of that gathering.

The aim is inward. Fasting, silence, study and the daily pratikraman, a ritual of confession and repentance, are all ways of reducing the karma that Jains believe binds the soul. The festival ends with asking forgiveness of every living being, which is why many Jains call it the most important time of their year.

How are the dates of Paryushan decided?

Paryushan dates follow the Jain lunar calendar and fall in the bright half of Bhadrapada, usually between late August and mid-September. The two main Jain traditions keep it differently, and even within them some congregations differ by a day.

In practice the Digambara Das Lakshan begins as the Svetambara Paryushan ends, so Jain families often have close to three weeks of observance between them. If you work with Jain colleagues from both traditions, their "Paryushan" may not be the same week. Local sanghs publish their own calendars; follow the one your friend's temple uses.

What happens during the eight days of Paryushan?

Each day of Paryushan follows a rhythm of worship, discourse and fasting. Svetambara monks read and explain the Kalpa Sutra, attributed to Acharya Bhadrabahu, which tells the lives of the Jinas, above all Mahavira, and the rules for monks during the rains. Illustrated Kalpa Sutra manuscripts made in western India from the fourteenth century onwards are among the finest Indian miniature paintings.

1. Days 1–3
   Discourses and vows

   Monks and nuns explain duties of lay life; many people take vows of fasting for the coming days.

2. Day 5
   Mahavira's birth reading

   The birth story is read from the Kalpa Sutra. In many congregations the fourteen dreams of his mother Trishala are displayed and a small cradle is rocked.

3. Days 6–7
   Fasting and study

   Those on long fasts continue; others fast on single days or eat one simple meal.

4. Day 8 · Samvatsari
   Annual pratikraman

   A long evening pratikraman reviewing the year's conduct, followed by asking forgiveness of everyone.

Digambara Jains spend each of the ten days of Das Lakshan on one of the ten virtues described in the Tattvartha Sutra: supreme forgiveness, humility, straightforwardness, purity, truth, self-restraint, austerity, renunciation, non-possession and celibacy. Temples hold daily puja, recitation and talks on the day's virtue.

How do Jains fast during Paryushan?

Jains fast during Paryushan in graded ways, from skipping one meal to going without food for all eight days. Many observers drink only boiled water, and only between sunrise and sunset. Some take on a full-month fast.

Upvas

A full day's fast; only boiled water, drunk during daylight, or nothing at all.

Ekasana

Eating once in the day, at a single sitting.

Ayambil

One meal a day of plain, boiled food without spices, oil, milk, ghee or sugar.

Athai

A fast of eight consecutive days, often through all of Paryushan.

Chauvihar

Taking no food or water after sunset.

Pratikraman

The ritual of confession and repentance, recited daily and at length on Samvatsari.

Micchami Dukkadam

Prakrit for "may all the wrong I have done be in vain", said when asking forgiveness.

Even those who are not fasting usually eat more strictly than normal: no onion, garlic, potatoes or other root vegetables, often no green leafy vegetables, and nothing after sunset. Families and communities honour people who complete long fasts with a public felicitation and a festive meal to break the fast, called parna.

What does Micchami Dukkadam mean, and how do you use it?

Micchami Dukkadam is a Prakrit phrase that asks forgiveness for any harm done, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or deed. Jains say it and send it on Samvatsari, the last day of Paryushan, and Digambaras exchange it on Kshamavani, often phoning relatives, writing to old friends and even contacting people they have fallen out with. The spirit is set in a verse recited in the pratikraman.

Non-Jains can say it too. It is respectful to reply "Micchami Dukkadam" when a Jain friend sends it to you. It is an apology, not a greeting, so it reads best when you mean it: name something specific if you can.

For the final day on its own, see Samvatsari. For Mahavira's birth anniversary in spring, see Mahavir Jayanti.

How to wish someone on Paryushan

A good Paryushan message is quiet and sincere. The heart of the festival is forgiveness, so the natural greeting at its end is "Micchami Dukkadam", asking pardon for any hurt you caused. During the fasting days, encourage and respect the effort instead of wishing someone a "happy" festival, and never tempt a fasting friend with food. Keep it personal and humble.

Write a few lines in your own words, pick a design and share it as one link on WhatsApp, Instagram or anywhere else. They open an animated card made just for them, with no app and no sign-up.

Language tip: English, Hindi + recipient language.

When is Paryushan in 2026 and 2027?

Paryushan is set by the Jain lunisolar calendar, so it falls on a different date each year. In 2027 it falls 11 days earlier than in 2026. Paryushan runs 8 days.

Frequently asked questions