Paryushana
पर्युषण
About Paryushana
During Paryushana, a major Jain season of fasting, reflection, and forgiveness, food becomes quiet and intentional: Jain fasting foods are commonly served in daylight meals, often avoiding root vegetables, onion, and garlic in keeping with ahimsa. In Gujarati, Rajasthani, and Maharashtrian Shvetambara homes, simple Khichdi, no-root Dhokla, fruits and nuts, and post-fast simple sweets such as lapsi or sukhdi may appear around Ekasana, Ayambil, or the breaking of fasts. Digambara communities, especially in Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra, observe the related Daslakshana period with similar restraint, while Jain diaspora kitchens adapt these rules with local ingredients.
Signature Dishes
Jain fasting foods
Khichdi
Jain style, no onion/garlic
Dhokla
Jain preparation
Fruits and nuts
as permitted
Post-fast simple sweets
Regional Variations
Gujarat
Primary Svetambara stronghold (Ahmedabad/Surat/Saurashtra); 8-day Paryushana with Lapsi, Sukhdi, Jain Undhiyu (no-root), Khandvi, and farsan in Jain-no-root variants.
Rajasthan
Svetambara stronghold (Jaipur/Udaipur/Jodhpur) with Shrimad Rajchandra lineage influence; Kalpasutra recitation and 8-day fasting traditions emphasized.
Maharashtra
Mixed Svetambara (Mumbai/Pune networks) and Digambara presence; both 8-day and 10-day observances run in parallel communities.
Karnataka
Digambara stronghold (Shravanabelagola/Mysore); 10-day Daslakshana observed, anchored by Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka tradition.
Madhya Pradesh
Digambara presence; 10-day Daslakshana with Das-Lakshan-Dharma 10-virtues observance and themed Digambara meal sets.
Jain diaspora (US/UK/East Africa/Singapore)
Largely Gujarati-Svetambara-origin observance; asafoetida used as onion/garlic substitute, temple Pratikraman and Michhami Dukkadam exchanges held in community centers.
Observance Practices
Svetambara 8-day Paryushana (Aug 30 – Sep 6, 2026) culminating in Samvatsari Pratikraman
Svetambara communities (Gujarat/Rajasthan/Maharashtra/diaspora)
Digambara 10-day Daslakshana (Sep 7 – Sep 16, 2026) observing the 10 virtues (Das-Lakshan-Dharma)
Digambara communities (Karnataka/MP/southern Maharashtra)
Kshamavani / Samvatsari forgiveness day with 'Michhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ' exchanges seeking reciprocal forgiveness
Tapasya fasting gradations: Ekasana, Ayambil, Upvas, Atthai (8-day), and Maskhamana (1-month) for the most devout
Kalpasutra recitation across the 8-day liturgy
Svetambara
Das-Lakshan-Dharma 10-virtues daily reflection (kshama, mardava, arjava, shaucha, satya, samyam, tapa, tyaga, akinchanya, brahmacharya)
Digambara
Daily temple visits with Pratikraman (devotional retrospection) and Mahavira pravachan readings
Strict Jain dietary observance: no root vegetables, no fermented/overnight foods, sunrise-to-sunset eating (Chauvihar for stricter practitioners)
Canonical Paryushana foods: Lapsi, Sukhdi, Jain Khichdi, Jain Thepla, Khandvi, Jain Undhiyu, Dhokla/Muthia/Patra in no-root variants
Gujarati Svetambara communities and diaspora
Bahubali abhisheka ceremonial observances (annual smaller versions; Mahamastakabhisheka every 12 years)
Karnataka Digambara (Shravanabelagola)
Charity (Daana) and lifestyle simplicity (Aparigraha) emphasized through the festival