In a fast-paced world where most festivals revolve around food and fun, Paryushan 2023 stands out as a time for introspection, forgiveness, and spiritual reset. Celebrated by Jains across the globe, this eight-day (or ten-day for Digambar Jains) festival is a journey inward—a time to pause, reflect, and clean not just your surroundings, but your soul.
Whether you’re Jain, curious about Indian traditions, or just looking for something deeper in today’s noise-filled world, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Paryushan 2023: the history, the significance, the dates, and what makes it so relevant even now.
What is Paryushan?
Paryushan is the most important religious festival for Jains. The word “Paryushan” comes from Sanskrit, meaning “to stay in one place” or “to come together.” That’s exactly what happens—Jains slow down, reduce worldly activity, and focus on spiritual growth.
The festival is observed by two main Jain sects: Svetambaras, who celebrate it for 8 days, and Digambaras, who celebrate it for 10 days. The purpose is the same for both—self-purification through fasting, prayer, reading of scriptures, and seeking forgiveness.
Paryushan 2023 Dates
In 2023, Paryushan was celebrated from September 11 to September 18 by Svetambara Jains. For Digambara Jains, Das Lakshan Parva started on September 19 and ended on September 28.
These dates are based on the lunar calendar and often change slightly every year, which is something that many blogs fail to explain clearly. Most just list the dates without sharing why they change. Paryushan always begins on the twelfth day of the waning phase of the Bhadrapada month in the Jain calendar.
Why Paryushan Matters More Than Ever
A big reason Paryushan continues to hold meaning is that it promotes ahimsa (non-violence), aparigraha (non-attachment), and forgiveness. In a time when we’re all buried in distractions, constantly swiping and scrolling, this festival encourages people to go offline and inward.
It’s not just a “religious thing.” Even people who don’t follow Jainism often find inspiration in its values—especially the practice of asking for forgiveness. The last day of Paryushan, Samvatsari, is known as the “Day of Forgiveness.” Jains greet each other with “Micchami Dukkadam,” which means “if I have hurt you knowingly or unknowingly, I ask for your forgiveness.”
This concept is so powerful and timeless that it could genuinely make the world a softer, more empathetic place if more people adopted it.
Key Traditions During Paryushan
One of the unique aspects of Paryushan is how personal it is. There’s no pressure to dress up or throw a party. Instead, people read Jain scriptures like the Kalpasutra, fast according to their capacity, avoid hurting any form of life (even insects), and limit consumption of resources.
Fasting can range from eating once a day to complete fasting for all eight or ten days. But here’s a detail often left out by other blogs: it’s not just about giving up food. People also try to fast from anger, ego, gossip, and negative thoughts. That emotional discipline is what makes Paryushan so meaningful.
What Makes Paryushan 2023 Different?
Each year brings something new, even in traditions. In 2023, many Jain temples across the world embraced hybrid formats—live-streaming sermons, virtual prayer meets, and even online forgiveness messages. That shift made the festival more accessible, especially to younger generations and the global Jain diaspora.
Also, 2023 saw a stronger focus on eco-friendly practices. From using reusable utensils for community meals to paperless prayer books, more Jains consciously combined their spiritual duties with environmental responsibility.
These modern touches aren’t something most traditional blogs talk about, but they’re worth mentioning because they show how Paryushan continues to evolve without losing its core.
Life After Paryushan
The goal of Paryushan isn’t to be perfect for a few days and go back to business as usual. It’s meant to spark a long-term change. That’s why many Jains set new personal or spiritual goals at the end of the festival—whether it’s practicing more mindfulness, reducing waste, or making time for self-reflection each day.
More importantly, relationships are healed. People who haven’t spoken in years call each other to say “Micchami Dukkadam.” And that alone can be life-changing.
Conclusion
Paryushan 2023 wasn’t just another festival on the calendar. It was a chance to slow down, clean your inner house, and reconnect—with yourself and with others. Its message of forgiveness, humility, and compassion is timeless, and its growing relevance in the modern world is a reminder that the oldest traditions often have the deepest wisdom.
So, even if you’re not Jain, Paryushan can still inspire you to pause and ask: Am I carrying something I need to let go of? Maybe it’s time to forgive, breathe, and begin again.
