Paryushana Festival
To keep fast is the normal routine of people of Jain religion and their fasts are kept by them as a celebration. Paryushana is the main fasting festival of Jains. It continues for eight days, and it comes during rainy season. During Paryushana, Jain people are on fasting; as such these people keep fast any time for example when they feel that they have committed some sin then they fast as a repent and apology in order to erase off their sin. Saint’s sages, nun’s and shravak’s fast in order to balance their control over their desires. Mahaveer emphasized on fasting as according to him fasts purifies our body and head. Mahaveer himself would frequently be on fasts for months together and stay hungry. According to Jainism, leaving food alone is not enough as while fasting one should even not desire of having food is important. They believe that if a person while fasting carves for food then his fast is not successful.
