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Paryushan is also known as the festival of forgiveness
This festival is celebrated by the Jains
Paryushan is celebrated in the month of Bhaadrapada as per the Hindu calendar
Significance
Paryushan is one of the holiest festivals of Jains and it means 'coming together' or 'abiding'. This is a time when Jains take an oath that they will fast with all spiritual passion and study similar to monasticism. The monks have to stay at one place for Paryushan. This is referred as Chaturmasa as the rainy season is about to start for 4 months. However this stay is restricted for minimum 70 days. Lord Mahavir started this Paryushan on Bhaadrapada Shukla Panchami and later it was shifted to Chaturti. Hence forth this festival is celebrated from Bhaadrapada Shukla Chaturti.
Paryushan is a festival that is not related either to any person and nor to any historical event. This is a festival that is regarded to celebrate the natural qualities of Soul. It is said that as the soul has no end and no start, same as that Paryushan does not has any start or end. This festival occurs thrice a year but is celebrated only once. During this period the Jains fast and these fasts are supposed to purify the soul, spiritual activities, improve morality, strengthen the relation and to increase the knowledge. Purifying means to stay close to our own souls, ask for forgiveness and find our own faults, and to take an oath to decrease the number of faults.
Celebration of Paryushan
Jains observes fast and immerse themselves in the rituals and they prepare themselves to lead an honorable life. This is a festival of soul purification; it is a time to set aside all the wealth, prestige and to be with god for most of the time. There are 8 main days of this festival that have some or the other significance they are as follows
- 1st day - on this day people should make the mind and soul strong
- 2nd day - on this day people with their kind and sweet speeches try to spread the fragrance of Virtues. People denote all these values with free hands and they become a king.
- 3rd day - on this day people make their soul and body pure. People devote themselves for self-punishment. People practice meditation, self-control and self-friendship.
- 4th day- this is a very unusual occasion of gaining AatmaLaxmi.
- 5th day- this is day dedicated to "Kalpasutra" a holy document of Jainism. This day is celebrated as the birth day of Lord Mahavir and along with this there is an auction of 14 items. These 14 items are the dreams of Queen Trisala Devi, when she was carrying lord Mahavir
- 6th day - on this day there are 'Swan' floating in the Mansarovar the Jain Empire.
- 7th day - on this day people deliver divine messages for tolerance and power of patience.
- 8th day - this day is called as the 'Savantsari' as this day is a grand 'gate way' of MOKSHA.
- 9th day -On this auspicious day there is a very unique tradition where every individual asks for forgiveness for the offense made by them during the past year. People forget their old quarrels and make a strong bond of friendship; they shake hands and say "Micchamidukadam".
Traditional food
During this festival the Jains have to fast, they are not supposed to eat anything for eight days. They can only consume boiled water and this water can be drunk only between 9am to 6 pm. The main rituals of this festival are fasting and penance.
Paryushan is an annual, holy festival of Jains. It is celebrated with great devotion for fasting, observing silence, reading scriptures, asking for forgiveness etc.
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