Samvatsari

''Saṃvatsari'' ( sa, संवत्सरी) (lit. Annual Day or fig. Forgiveness Day) is the last day of ''Paryushana'' Shwetambar sect of Jainism. It falls on Shukla Panchami each year in the Jain calendar month of Bhadrapada, somewhere between the middle of August and September in the Gregorian calendar.

On this day, Jains forgive and seek forgiveness for their mistakes committed knowingly or unknowingly from all the living beings. A yearly, elaborate penitential retreat called "''samvatsari pratikramana''" is performed on this day. After the ''pratikramana'', Jains seek forgiveness from all the creatures of the world, including friends and relatives by uttering the phrase — '' Micchami Dukkadam'' or its variants like "Khamau Sa", "Uttam Kshama" or "Khamat Khamna".

Etymology

Samvatsari is derived Sanskrit language. ''Samvatsara'' refers to a "year" in Vedic literature such as the ''Rigveda'' and other ancient texts. Thus, Samvatsari literally refers to a day that comes annually.

Customs and Traditions

As a matter of ritual, they personally greet their friends and relatives Micchami Dukkadam. No private quarrel or dispute may be carried beyond Saṃvatsarī and messages, telephone calls are made to the outstation friends and relatives asking their forgiveness.

Being the holiest day of the Jain calendar, many Jains observe a complete fast on this day.

''Samvatsari'' and ''Kshamavaani''

While ''Samvatsari'' and '' Kshamavaani'' are typically associated with Shwetambar sect and Digambara respectively, there is no major difference between the two days and both are observed as Forgiveness Days. Rather, the two are usually used interchangeably.

However, a major difference between the two is that despite both ''Samvatsari'' and ''Kshamavaani'' falling on the last day of Paryushan, they are in fact two different days. This is because the Paryushan festival for the two sects itself commences on different dates and is of varying duration.

As a result, while Samvatsari is observed on Shukla Panchami of Bhadrapada month by the Shwetambars, the Digambaras celebrate it on the first day of ''Ashvin Krishna'' month of the lunar-based Jain calendar.

See also

* Paryushan
* Kshamavaani
* Forgiveness in Jainism
* Kshamavani

References

Jain festivals
Festivals in India
Jain practices

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