Samvatsari

Samvatsari is the culminating day of Shvetambar Jain Paryushan and is centred on repentance and universal forgiveness. Jains perform an extended pratikraman, reviewing actions, words and intentions that may have caused harm during the year. The distinctive practice is to ask forgiveness not only from family and friends but, in principle, from all living beings, acknowledging that harm can occur knowingly or unknowingly. The phrase ‘Micchami Dukkadam’ expresses the wish that one's faults and hurtful actions become fruitless and forgiven. This is not meant as a casual greeting; its force comes from self-examination, humility and the willingness to change conduct. Samvatsari turns forgiveness into a two-way discipline—seeking pardon without defensiveness and releasing resentment toward others—so that the new spiritual cycle begins with lighter relationships and greater awareness of ahimsa.

Samvatsari is significant to the community that observes it and helps preserve religious, family and cultural continuity.

The longest pratikraman of the year, taking several hours, and the Barsa Sutra before it. Most keep the day without food, and many without water. Afterwards people go house to house, and the message goes out to everyone too far to visit. Digambars keep the equivalent day at the end of their own ten, which is why the dates differ.