About Samvatsari
Samvatsari is the holiest day of the Jain year for the Svetambara community, the last day of Paryushan, when Jains fast, perform the annual pratikraman and ask forgiveness of every living being with the words "Micchami Dukkadam". In 2027 it falls on Saturday, 4 September 2027. Digambara Jains keep the same forgiveness as Kshamavani at the end of their ten-day Das Lakshan Parva.
Samvatsar means a year, and Samvatsari is the day a Jain settles the year's account. On this one day, the whole community fasts, sits through a long ritual of confession, and then turns to everyone they know and asks to be forgiven.
When is Samvatsari, and how is the date set?
Samvatsari falls on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, the fourth day of the bright half of Bhadrapada, which lands in late August or September. It is the eighth and last day of the Svetambara Paryushan. Because it shares its tithi with Ganesh Chaturthi, the two often fall on the same day or a day apart. Some references place Samvatsari on the fifth day, Panchami, so check with your local sangh if the date matters for planning.
Digambara Jains do not keep Samvatsari by that name. Their ten-day Das Lakshan Parva begins after the Svetambara Paryushan ends and closes on Anant Chaturdashi. The next day, the first day of the dark half of Ashvin, is Kshamavani, their day of forgiveness. The two days carry the same meaning, and many Jains use the names interchangeably.
| Aspect | Svetambara | Digambara |
|---|---|---|
| The festival | Paryushan, eight days | Das Lakshan Parva, ten days |
| The day of forgiveness | Samvatsari, the last day | Kshamavani, the day after the last |
| Date | Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi | Ashvin Krishna Pratipada |
| Common greetings | Micchami Dukkadam, Khamat Khamna | Micchami Dukkadam, Uttam Kshama |
What do Jains do on Samvatsari?
Samvatsari is built around the Samvatsari Pratikraman, the annual and most elaborate form of the Jain rite of repentance. Every Svetambara Jain is expected to take part. It usually begins in the late afternoon and runs into the evening, and the JAINA Education Committee's guide puts its length at three hours or more.
Pratikraman is made up of six essential duties, the avashyakas, done in order:
- SamayikSitting in equanimity, setting aside worldly business for the duration.
- ChauvisatthoPraise of the twenty-four Tirthankaras.
- VandanaBowing to the teachers.
- PratikramanGoing back over the year's faults, vow by vow, and repenting them.
- KayotsargaStanding or sitting still in meditation, detached from the body.
- PratyakhyanaTaking vows of restraint for the time ahead.
Many Jains keep a complete fast on Samvatsari, an upvas, and many make it chauvihar, taking no water either. Those who have fasted for all eight days of Paryushan, a tapasya called atthai, break the fast at a parna on the following morning. When the pratikraman ends, people turn to family, friends and the whole sangh and ask forgiveness in person, by phone or by message.
What does Micchami Dukkadam mean?
Micchami Dukkadam is a Prakrit phrase from Jain scripture. The Sanskrit form is mithya me dushkritam, and the literal sense is "may my wrongdoing be fruitless", or in plainer words, "if I have hurt you in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or deed, I ask your forgiveness". Jains use the phrase in pratikraman throughout the year, but on Samvatsari it becomes a greeting exchanged with everyone.
The idea behind it goes further than an apology to one person. A Jain asks forgiveness of all living beings and offers forgiveness in return. A Prakrit verse recited in pratikraman says it in two lines. In English: I forgive all living beings, may all living beings forgive me; I have friendship with all and enmity with none.
Khamemi savve jiva, savve jiva khamantu me. Metti me savva bhuesu, veram majjha na kenai.
How should non-Jains wish someone on Samvatsari?
Anyone can say Micchami Dukkadam, and Jain friends and colleagues are usually glad when non-Jains do. The day's etiquette is simple once you know it is about humility, not celebration.
Do
- Say or write "Micchami Dukkadam" and add a sincere line. If you actually wronged the person this year, say what it was.
- Reply to a Micchami Dukkadam message with the same words, even if you think they owe you nothing.
- Expect Jain colleagues to be fasting, possibly without water, and to leave early for pratikraman. Keep meetings short that day.
- If you want to send food, wait for the parna or later, and ask first; many Jain families follow strict dietary rules, especially during Paryushan.
Avoid
- Don't say "Happy Samvatsari" or send festive, sparkly cards.
- Don't invite a fasting colleague to lunch or a team treat on Samvatsari.
- Don't treat the greeting as a formality you forward to a whole contact list without reading it. The point is that it is personal.
Micchami Dukkadam. If anything I said or did at work this year hurt you, knowingly or not, I'm sorry. Hope the fast goes gently.
Micchami Dukkadam. I know I snapped at you in the spring and never properly apologised. I'm sorry, and I'm grateful you stayed.
Micchami Dukkadam, Maa and Papa. For every sharp word and every call I didn't return, please forgive me.
Micchami Dukkadam to you too. For anything I said or did, knowingly or not, I ask the same of you.
Micchami Dukkadam to all of you. Deadlines make all of us short with each other sometimes. Thank you for your patience this year.
Micchami Dukkadam. Your atthai is an inspiration. Wishing you strength today and an easy parna tomorrow.
For the eight days leading up to Samvatsari, see Paryushan. The other major Jain festival of the year is Mahavir Jayanti. If you need to apologise to someone on another day of the year, the sorry page has ideas.
How to wish someone on Samvatsari
Samvatsari is a day for asking forgiveness, not for celebration, so the right message is "Micchami Dukkadam" and a sincere line of your own. Anyone can say it, Jain or not. Never "Happy Samvatsari". If a Jain friend or colleague sends you Micchami Dukkadam, reply with the same words, and if there is something specific to apologise for, name it.
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 Samvatsari in 2026 and 2027?
Samvatsari 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.
- 2026
- 2027
Frequently asked questions
When is Samvatsari in 2027?
Samvatsari 2027 falls on Saturday, 4 September 2027.
How do you reply to Micchami Dukkadam?
The usual reply to Micchami Dukkadam is to say Micchami Dukkadam back. It means you also ask forgiveness for anything you may have done, knowingly or unknowingly, so the exchange is mutual rather than one person forgiving the other.
Can non-Jains say Micchami Dukkadam?
Yes. Non-Jains can say Micchami Dukkadam to Jain friends, colleagues and neighbours on Samvatsari, and it is generally received warmly. Jains themselves ask forgiveness of everyone, whatever their religion.
What is the difference between Samvatsari and Kshamavani?
Samvatsari is the Svetambara Jain day of forgiveness, on the last day of the eight-day Paryushan. Kshamavani is the Digambara equivalent, kept on the day after the ten-day Das Lakshan Parva ends. Both are marked with Micchami Dukkadam and pratikraman.
Do Jains fast on Samvatsari?
Many Jains keep a complete fast, or upvas, on Samvatsari, and many also go without water. Those who fasted for all eight days of Paryushan break their fast at a parna the following morning.
How long does Samvatsari Pratikraman take?
Samvatsari Pratikraman usually takes three hours or more. It is held in the late afternoon and evening, often at an upashraya or temple, and goes through the six duties of Jain practice before members of the community ask one another's forgiveness.
Why shouldn't you say "Happy Samvatsari"?
Samvatsari is a day of fasting, confession and asking forgiveness, not a festive celebration. "Micchami Dukkadam" is the fitting greeting, and a warm, personal line can follow it.
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