A spiritual cleansing

Paryushan which means abiding or coming together is an eight-day fasting festival for Jains. The central theme of the festival is atmashuddhi or ‘purification of the soul’. Vows are taken to decrease dependence on excesses in daily lives. Fasting redirects the mind away from material activities, cleansing the system, helping to achieve purity in both mind and soul.

It ameliorates past karma while teaching discipline, self-control and patience. Many Jains fast for all eight or nine days of the festival. During this fast they drink only boiled water from sunrise to sunset. The most important aspect of Paryushan is daily meditation and reflection.

It is an opportunity to scrutinise oneself and look to the teachings of the Thirtankars for guidance. Each day is focused on removing our impurities like anger, pride, deceit and greed while building virtues of humility, honesty, kindness, self-restraint, non-violence, non-possessiveness, charity, austerity, sacrifice, and forgiveness. Jain followers wake up early in the morning and visit the temples and offer special Pooja.

“The deepest spiritual period of the year arrives for Jains with the festival of Paryushana. For 44 days, I have kept fasting and during the fast we will only have warm water, study sacred texts and make a renewal of faith. In comparison to other world religions, Jainism incorporates an especially deep concern and respect for all living beings, from animals and insects, to plants and root vegetables.

The swetambara Jains drink boiled water at home and abstain from eating or drinking out or in the houses of a non-jain,” says Yogesh Doshi. “These eight days, poojas are conducted in the morning and evening. It goes on for 48 minutes while we listen to our guru maharaja and follow what is said,” he adds.

Speaking to The Hans India Hitenshah an Aangi committee member said, “During these eight days we decorate god idol with original flower, colourful kundan and laces. Paryushan is very important days for jains, on these eight days we decorate idols of our Gods with different materials, it’s a dedication towards the Gods.”

“For Aangi we have a powder called as vaskep, which is similar to sandalwood powder that is mixed into water to make a dough. We apply this dough on a silver kavacha, and then we decorate it with different materials like flowers, kundans, and laces,” says Pinky a committee member of Aangi.