Paryushana

The word "" means "abiding and coming together". It is a time when the Jains take on vows of study and fasting. == Observances ==

Śvētāmbara Jains observe Paryushana for eight days and Digambara Jains observe it for ten days. Almost all Jains see participation in Paryushana as a duty. Sermons During the first three days, sermons are based on the Paryushana Stahnika Vyakhyana, explaining the duties of Paryushana and annual duties. Explanations draw on stories of exemplary figures in Jain history. The five duties of Paryushana are not killing, affection for fellow Jains, statement of annulling faults in the past year, a three-day fast, and pilgrimage. Starting on the fourth day, Śvētāmbara Murtipujakas recite the Kalpa Sūtra, which includes a recitation of the section on the birth of Mahavira on the fifth day. Some Śvētāmbaras recite the Antagada Sutra, which details the life of 90 great men and women who attained moksha during the eras of the 22nd Tirthankar Neminatha and 24th Tirthankar Mahavira. Requesting forgiveness At the conclusion of the festival, śrāvakas request each other for forgiveness for all offenses committed during the last year. == Date ==

The date for Paryushana is Bhadra shukla panchami. For this duration, Paryushana must be initiated by panchami (the fifth day) of the shukla paksha phase of Bhadra. The last day is called Samvatsari, short for Samvatsari Pratikramana. Due to computational and other differences, there can be some minor differences among various sects. It comes at the time when the wandering monks take up temporary residence for the monsoon period or "cāturmāsa" ("four-month"). Because at this time the monks have settled in the town for a longer duration, it is time for the householders to have an annual renewal of the faith by listening to the statement of the Dharma and through meditation and vratas (self-control). Śvētāmbara celebrate an eight-day festival that ends with Bhadrapada shukla chaturthi. It is believed that the devas (heavenly beings) do an eight-part puja (worship) of the tirthankaras, which takes eight days. Śvētāmbara Jains celebrate this period as Paryushana. == Closure ==

Slaughter houses are kept closed for one to eight days during the Paryushana festival in Indian states that have a large Jain population, including Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. On 14 March 2008, the Supreme Court held that the ban on slaughterhouses in Ahmedabad during Paryushan festival was legal. The court noted: == See also ==