Samvatsari

Samvatsari is the last day of the Jain festival Paryushan Parva. It is a day of atonement, forgiveness, and self-purification observed by Jains of both the Digambara and Śvētāmbara traditions. The date falls on the final day of the annual Paryushan festival, typically in late summer (August–September) according to the Jain lunisolar calendar.

The central practice on Samvatsari is Pratikraman, a structured ritual of repentance in which practitioners reflect on their thoughts, speech, and actions of the past year, confess faults, and seek forgiveness from all living beings, as well as from teachers and deities. Many Jains perform a personal or temple-based Pratikraman, chant prayers, and some observe fasting or reduced meals for the day.

A defining feature of the day is the communal exchange of forgiveness. Jains greet one another with the phrase Michchhami Dukkadam (or similar forms), meaning “may you be forgiven” and “may I be forgiven.” The exchange is intended to clear debts of harm and promote reconciliation and non-violence in the year ahead.

Significance: Samvatsari emphasizes forgiveness, introspection, and non-violence (ahimsa). It concludes Paryushan and encourages ethical renewal, charitable acts, and renewed commitments to harmless conduct. The day is observed across India and in Jain communities worldwide through temple services, family gatherings, and individual reflection.