The Paryushan Parv of the Jain community is a rigorous tradition of staying virtuous and regulating one’s behaviour. The festival lasts for eight days in case of Shvetambar Jains and 10 days for Digambars.
Chandigarh, September 2, 2011: The Paryushan Parv of the Jain community is a rigorous tradition of staying virtuous and regulating one’s behaviour. The festival lasts for eight days in case of Shvetambar Jains and 10 days for Digambars.
The Shvetambars’ festival concluded on Thursday. The Digambar community will begin observing it from Friday. These days are intended for intensive study, reflection and purification.
In the city, Jains assemble at their temples in Sectors 27 and 28 and recite mantras together during these days.
The last day of the festival is meant for forgiving and seeking forgiveness. City resident Sandhya Bansal said, ”Irrespective of the age, people ask for forgiveness. For example, my mother-in-law asked me to pardon her. This is not witnessed in any other religion. The fasts are tough. During this period we also abstain from eating green vegetables as they contain insects. The festival is observed during monsoon as Jains believe that humans unknowingly kill many germs at this time, which amounts to a lot of violence. This festival is intended to compensate for that.” – Times News Network