Paryusana

Paryusana(पर्युषण) means "abiding and coming together". Paryushana  also known as  Daslakshana Parva. Normally, Digambaras refer it as Das Lakshana Parva and Śhwētāmbaras refer to it as Paryushana The duration of Paryushana is for eight days for Śhwētāmbaras Jains and ten days for Digambara Jains. The festival ends with the celebration of Kshamavani (forgiveness day).

It is the most important annual holy events for Jains and  is usually celebrated in month of August or September.During this period Śrāvakas (lay people) increase their level of spiritual intensity often using fasting and prayer/meditation to help. The five main vows are emphasized during this time. There are no set rules, and followers are encouraged to practice according to their ability and desires.

The Digambara Jains recite the ten chapters of the sacred Jain text, Tattvartha Sutra on ten days of fasting. On the last day of daslakshana parva Digambaras celebrate Ananta chaturdashi. On this day Vasupujya bhagwan attained Moksha (nirvana).

During the 8-day festival, the Śvētāmbaras Murtipujaka recite the Kalpa Sūtra, which includes a recitation of the section on birth of Mahavira on the fifth day. Some Śvētāmbara Sthanakvasis recite the Antagada Sutra, which details the life of great men and women who attained moksha during the eras of Neminatha and Mahavira.

At the conclusion of the festival, Digambaras celebrate this event as Kshamavani parva.On this day all jain followers request forgiveness from others for any offenses committed during the last year. Forgiveness is asked by saying “Uttam Kshama” in digambaras and ” Micchami Dukkadam” in swetambaras , both the words have same means, "If I have offended you in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or action, then I seek your forgiveness."

 The word “Das Lakshana” is originated from Das-Dharma, (ten righteous virtues) which are mentioned in the Tattvartha Sutra.

In some Indian States, slaughter houses are kept close for 1–8 days during the Paryushana festival. It is done in states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, that have large population of the Jain community. On 14 March 2008, The Supreme Court of India held that the ban on slaughter houses in Ahmedabad during Paryushan festival is legal.