Paryushan 2025: Check dates, significance and rituals of the festival

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Paryushan Parv is one of the most revered festivals celebrated by the Jain community. It is not only a time for spiritual cleansing but also self-reflection and forgiveness. Usually observed in the month of August or September each year, the occasion is marked by prayers, fasting and other traditions.

While the Shwetambar Jain community observes an eight-day-long Paryushan Parv, the festival lasts for 10 days for the Digambar Jain community, where it is called ‘Das Lakshan Parv'.

Paryushan 2025: Date

According to the Jain calendar, Paryushan is observed in the Bhadrapada month, which usually falls in August or September as per the Gregorian calendar.

In 2025, the festival will be observed by Shwetambar Jains from August 21 to 28. Paryushan will conclude with Samvatsari - an occasion to seek and grant forgiveness.

For the Digambar Jain community, the festival will commence on August 28 and conclude on September 6 (Anant Chaturdashi), coinciding with Ganeshotsav 2025. They will celebrate Kshamavani (the day of forgiveness) on September 8.

Paryushan 2025: Significance

Paryushan is a deeply spiritual festival that focuses on forgiveness and cleansing of the mind, body and soul through self-reflection and devotion. It is a time to take a break from daily routines and spend time in self-reflection.

For Digambar Jains, each day of Das Lakshan Parv is dedicated to a specific dharma (virtue) central to the religion, such as forgiveness, truth and renunciation.

Paryushan 2025: Rituals and celebrations

The Jain community observes Paryushan with several rituals. Some of these include:

Fasting: This is one of the most prominent rituals of the festival. While some Jains observe a complete fast, consuming only water during the eight/10 days, others are not that strict with their dietary practices. Some foods like onion, garlic, potato and other root vegetables are generally avoided.

Pratikramana: This ritual focuses on self-reflection, with people acknowledging their past mistakes and seeking forgiveness for any harm they may have caused intentionally or unintentionally.

Temple visits: It is a general practice for people to visit temples every day during Paryushan and spend time praying and reading religious scriptures.

Apart from these, the festival is also marked by chanting of mantras and listening to religious sermons.