Samvatsari

This article is about aJainfestival of theŚvetāmbarasect. ForDigambarasect's annual Forgiveness Day, seeKshamavani.For the process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and lets go ofvengefulness,seeforgiveness.

Samvatsari
TheJain flaginIndia
Official name	Samvatsari Pajushan
Also called	Forgiveness Day
Observed by	Śvetāmbarasect ofJainsworldwide
Liturgical color	White
Type	Jain
Significance	Last day ofParyushanfestival, on which Jains forgive and seek forgiveness from all living beings
Celebrations	1 day
Observances	Micchami Dukkadam(Asking for forgiveness),Pratikramana(Introspection)
Date	BhadrapadaShukla Pancham
Frequency	Annual
Related to	Paryushan,Kshamavani

Saṃvatsari(Sanskrit:संवत्सरी) (lit. Annual Day or fig. Forgiveness Day) is the last day ofParyushanaaccording to theŚvetāmbarasect ofJainism.It falls onShuklaChotheach year in theJain calendarmonth ofBhadrapada,somewhere between the middle of August and September in theGregorian calendar.

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

Etymology

Samvatsari is derived Sanskrit language.Samvatsararefers to a "year" in Vedic literature such as theRigvedaand 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 relativesMicchami 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 theJain calendar,many Jains observe a complete fast on this day.

SamvatsariandKshamavani

WhileSamvatsariandKshamavaniare typically associated withŚvetāmbarasect andDigambararespectively, 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 bothSamvatsariandKshamavanifalling on the last day ofParyushan,they are in fact two different days. This is because theParyushanfestival 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 theŚvetāmbaras,theDigambarascelebrate it on the first day ofAshvinKrishnamonth of the lunar-basedJain calendar.

See also

• Paryushan
• Kshamavani
• Forgiveness in Jainism
• Kshamavani