PARYUSHAN : Jains Remember Their Tirthankara

Once again in the month of August, Jains celebrate the birth of the 24th tirthankara Mahavir, during Paryushan, an eight-day festival. The birth record of this great teacher of Jainism is read by scholars and mums, and attentive listeners welcome the event by throwing sacred kumkum and rice on the alter. Paryushan ends on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi and Jains seek forgiveness for all the wrong doings of the preceding year by speaking the words Michhami Dukkadam to each other. In recent years, Jains have largely adopted the custom of sending samvatsari cards to family and friends to ask for forgiveness. It is at once a gesture of penitence and acceptance.