Paryushana and Its Significance
What is Paryushana?
Paryushana means abiding and coming together. Paryushana is an eight days Jainism festival where Jains observe various kinds of spiritual activity from fasting to meditation.
They give up on various luxuries of life during these 8 days. At the end of the 8 days also known as Samvatsari, Jains ask for forgiveness from others for the offense committed during the last year.
They ask for forgiveness by saying Michhami Dukkadam with folded hands
There has been a lot of confusion about what Jains do and eat during these 8 days. Let’s clear it out one by one
Paryushana is celebrated in the month of August or September which coincides with Bhadrapada month. Jains avoid leafy vegetables, outside food, raw water during paryushana.
Is Paryushana all about Fasting?
No, Paryushana is not about fasting. It is about detoxifying our body from all sorts of impurities with meditation and upasanas. Here are a few of the ways through which one can detoxify self.
Upvas- (Fasting for 8 Days)
Many Jains observe fast for the period of 8 days. This is one form of meditation as well as self-control that enhances bodily power spiritually and mentally. Observing fast with no food accompanied by boiled water up to 6 pm.
On the 9th day the fast is broken with liquid items which include Coconut water, Boiled water from Moong, Water from Variyari (Badi saunf) as these waters are heat resistant and help the digestive system to recover at faster pace.
Beyashna (Having Food for 2 times)
Beyashna consists of having food for just 2 times in a 12-hour window. This is accompanied by boiled water which cannot be taken into consideration after 6 pm.
Ekashna (Eating food for just 1 time)
Similar to Beyashna, in Ekashna as the name suggests people eat food just for one time. This includes a whole meal to be taken once from 7 am to 6 pm accompanied by boiled water.
Chauviar (Eat in 12 hours window from Sunrise till sunset)
In Chauviar people can have food at any time from 7 am to 6 pm without any restriction on the number of times the food is consumed.
What food items are included in Paryushana?
A complete vegetarian cuisine, Jain foods are one of the most rigorous food items in the Indian Subcontinent. All forms of Root vegetables and Leafy Vegetables are excluded from the consumption during the Paryushan Parva
There are a lot of options that one can have during the Paryushan. Jains make lot of variety of food that can be consumed.
Pulses are the main food with Chapati and Dal Rice.All types of Grains are allowed during the 8 days
- All types of food made from Dals (Moong dal, Toor Dal, Urad Dal, Chana Dal)
- All Food made from all Pulses (Moong, Matki, Chauli, Chana, Masoor, Vaal Etc)
- Boiled Milk
- Dhokla, Khakra, Roti Sabji, Dal Rice, etc
Apart from these, there are various items that can be made for the 8 days.
Detoxifying our body is the main aim of Paryushan which helps us to keep ourselves focused and positive all around the year.