Paryushan & Das Lakshana
Paryushan Parva
The most significant period in the Jain calendar — eight days for Svetambara Jains, ten for Digambara Jains as Das Lakshana — devoted to fasting, scripture, reflection and forgiveness.
- Where it is observed
- Gujarat · Rajasthan · Maharashtra · Madhya Pradesh · and Jain communities nationwide
- Communities
- Jain families — Svetambara and Digambara observe it differently
- When to send
- 2–4 weeks ahead
- Invitation shape
- A programme invitation, spanning consecutive days with a different focus each day. Precision matters — the community plans fasting and attendance around it.
Who invites whom
Sanghs and temple trusts invite their community to the programme; families invite relatives for particular days, for a tapasya observance, or for the parna that concludes a fast.
Timing & dates
Three weeks is usual for a sangh programme, allowing members to plan fasts and time away from work.
2026–27 date guidance
Paryushan falls in Bhadrapada, usually in late August or September. Svetambara Paryushan runs for eight days and concludes with Samvatsari; Digambara Das Lakshana runs for ten days and begins as the Svetambara observance ends. Confirm the dates with your sangh, as the two traditions do not coincide.
The ceremonies
Practice varies by family, community and region — not every household observes all of these.
Kalpasutra Vachanकल्पसूत्र वाचन
The reading of the Kalpasutra, observed by Svetambara Jains during Paryushan.
Pratikramanप्रतिक्रमण
The ritual of reflection and repentance, performed daily.
Tapasyaतपस्या
Fasting observed in many forms and durations, from a single day to the full period.
Das Lakshanaदस लक्षण
The ten cardinal virtues, each contemplated on one of the ten days in the Digambara observance.
Samvatsariसंवत्सरी
The final day of Svetambara Paryushan, devoted to seeking forgiveness.
Micchami Dukkadamमिच्छामि दुक्कडम्
Forgiveness sought from all beings for any harm caused, knowingly or unknowingly.
What the invitation must include
- Each day of the programme with its date, timing, and subject
- Whether the observance follows the Svetambara or Digambara tradition — the duration differs
- Temple or upashray address with a map link
- Details of any pravachan, and by whom it will be given
- Parna timings, where the family is hosting one
- Contact for the sangh or family
Wording examples
Adapt these to your family's own voice — square brackets mark what you replace.
[Sangh Name] invites all members and their families to our Paryushan Parva programme. [Dates] at [Venue]. Daily pravachan at [Time].
With gratitude, we invite you to join us for the parna of [Name], who has observed [Tapasya] during Paryushan. [Date] at [Time].
Create your Paryushan & Das Lakshana invitation
Every function, muhurat, venue and RSVP built around your celebration — and shareable on WhatsApp in a single link.
Related guides
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