Paryushan Parva

Paryushan Parva is the king of all festivals and hence is known as
Parvadhiraj. This festival lasts for eight days. Jain festivals are
not meant for eating, drinking and to make merry. Jain festivals are
celebrated by penance, Jap (recitation of Mantra) prayer, worship and
friendship. During the Paryushan Parva we must visit the temple daily,
must worship Trithankar, perform penance and must listen to Kalpasutra
(Jain holy sculpture).

On the fifth day of Paryushan Parva, Mahavir Swami's birth ceremony is
celebrated by displaying the fourteen dreams which Trishala Mata had
seen before Lord Mahavir's birth.

Paryushan Parva is also known as the festival of forgiveness. One who
forgives all and one who seeks forgiveness from all is the one who
really celebrates Paryshan Parva.

The last day of Paryushan Parva is known as Savantsari. The day of
"Universal Forgiveness". On this day, all Jains ask forgiveness from
everybody. They themselves forgive all those who may have done wrong
to them during the year that passed.