Jain Guides

In-depth guides to Jain festivals, practice and scripture — written to answer the question fully rather than briefly, and grounded in primary Jain texts. For anything not covered here, the community Q&A has source-cited answers to several hundred questions.

Das Lakshana Parva

Ten days, ten virtues: the Digambara observance that follows Samvatsari, taken one dharma at a time.

Jain Festival Calendar 2026

Every major date in the Jain year, with what each observance is for. Updated from the panchang each year.

Paryushan Parva

The most important festival in the Jain year: eight days of fasting, scripture and self-examination that end in asking forgiveness of every living being.

Samvatsari and Michhami Dukkadam

The last day of Paryushan, when Jains ask forgiveness of every living being - and what the phrase everyone sends actually means.

Jain Fasting and Tapasya

What each fast actually permits, from skipping one meal to the year-long varshi tap - and the reasoning behind them.

Pratikraman

'Turning back' - the structured self-review at the centre of Jain practice, performed daily by some and once a year by many.

Food and Diet During Paryushan

Root vegetables, greens, and eating after sunset - the reasoning behind each restriction, and what people actually eat.

The Kalpa Sutra

The text read aloud across Paryushan: what is in it, who wrote it, and what happens on the day of the fourteen dreams.