Paryushan Parva 2023: What Does Michhami Dukkadam Mean? Know More About This Jain Festival

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What Does Michhami Dukkadam Mean? Paryushana Parva is also known as Paryushana and it is one of the most significant festivals celebrated by the Jain community. It is an eight- or ten-day fasting period observed by Jains so that they can engage in deep spiritual reflection, self-purification, and seek forgiveness. The exact duration of Paryushana Parva can vary between the Digambara and Svetambara traditions within Jainism.

This year, Paryushana Parva will be celebrated on 20 September 2023. During this time, people engage in meditation, and prayer, and read sacred texts. However, the main theme of this festival is 'Michhami Dukkadam'. Know what it means and the significance of this term.

What Does Michhami Dukkadam Mean?

Michhami Dukkadam is a phrase used by Jains during the Jain festival of Samvatsari Parva, which is the last day of Paryushana Parva, an eight- or ten-day fasting period. It is a gesture of seeking forgiveness and granting forgiveness to others. The phrase is often said as a way of seeking forgiveness for any harm or offenses one may have caused intentionally or unintentionally, and it is also a way of forgiving others for any harm or offenses they may have caused.

This is a Jain practice of seeking and granting forgiveness, promoting harmony, and letting go of any ill feelings or negative emotions toward others. The idea is to start the new year with a clean slate and a pure heart. The phrase can be roughly translated as 'I grant you forgiveness' or 'May all the evil that has been done be forgiven.'

Significance Of Paryushana Parva

Paryushana is a time for Jains to intensify their spiritual practices and engage in self-reflection. It's a period of increased religious activity, including meditation, prayer, and reading of sacred texts. People from this community focus on self-purification and self-improvement during this time.

Many people from this community fast on this day or observe a strict diet as it is seen as a way to control one's desires, purify the body and mind, and focus on spiritual matters. They also use this time to study and contemplate the teachings of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, and other Jain scriptures. Apart from that, many take additional vows during Paryushana, such as refraining from certain negative activities or practices to enhance their spiritual growth and self-discipline.