The Jain festival Paryushana Parv or Das Lakshana Dharma is observed for 8-10 days during Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada Month's Shukla Paksha with meditation, fasting and prayers which culminates with Samvatsari or Kshamavani - the forgiveness day.
In 2022, Paryushan festival is going to be be celebrated from 24, August 2022 to 1 September, 2022. However, for observant of 'Maskhaman' fasting, the complete month of Bhadrapada is devoted is spent on fasting.
It is held that fasting purifies body and mind with emphasis on renunciation and asceticism. Some devout even fast or perform 'Maskhaman' for 31 days and just subsist on just boiled water.
For Das Lakshana, the following ten ten 'holy virtues' are reflected on and practiced during the festival
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· Uttam Brahmcharya or supreme celibacyUttam Kshama or right forbearance
· Uttam Mardava or right modesty
· Uttam Aarjava or straightforwardness
· Uttam Shoch or purity
· Uttam Satya or truth
· Uttam Sanyam or supreme restraint
· Uttam Tap or austerity
· Uttam Tyaga or renunciation
· Uttam Aakinchanya or non-attachment
At the conclusion of the festival, the observant request each other for forgiveness for all offenses caused knowingly or unknowingly during the last year by saying Micchami Dukkadam or Uttam Kshama to each other.
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