Emilie Meyer
Paryushan is a Jain festival that is considered a time for reflection and abstinence. It is a period of concentrated study, contemplation, and inner purification. During this time, Jains tend to eat simple foods and avoid certain vegetables and fruits to purify their souls and bodies. While some Jains forgo food entirely during Paryushan, others consume dairy products, grains, lentils, and beans. Paneer, a type of Indian cheese, is commonly consumed during Paryushan and is used in various recipes, including paneer tikka, paneer pinwheel, paneer makhani, shahi paneer, and quick paneer sabzi.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is Paryushan? | A Jain festival lasting 8-10 days during the monsoon season, typically in August or September. |
| Purpose | Spiritual cleansing, reflection, abstinence, and fasting. |
| Dietary restrictions | Fresh vegetables, root vegetables, and certain fruits are avoided. Some also avoid green leafy vegetables, refined flour, and specific types of fruits and vegetables like lemons, cauliflower, and corn. |
| Allowed foods | Milk and milk products (including paneer), rice, lentils, cereals, pulses, and dried vegetables. |
| Eating times | Meals should be consumed between sunrise and sunset. |
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What You'll Learn
Paneer is allowed during Paryushan
Paryushan is a significant Jain festival, a time for reflection, abstinence, and spiritual cleansing. It is a period of concentrated study, contemplation, and inner purification. During this time, Jains tend to eat simple foods, and there are varying levels of dietary restrictions.
Some Jains choose to forgo food for the duration of the festival, consuming only boiled water, while others avoid certain vegetables and fruits. The core principle is to do as little harm as possible to plant life. Root vegetables and underground vegetables are avoided, as are green leafy vegetables, fruits (especially lemons), and refined flour.
Milk and milk products, rice, lentils, cereals, and pulses are commonly consumed during Paryushan. Dairy products are allowed, and this includes paneer. In fact, paneer features in several recipes for the festival, such as paneer tikka, paneer pinwheel, paneer makhani, shahi paneer, and quick paneer sabzi.
So, while Paryushan is a time of fasting and dietary restrictions, paneer is allowed and even encouraged as a tasty and nutritious option during the festival.
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Jains observe fasting during Paryushan
Paryushan is one of the most important festivals for the Jain community in India and beyond. It is a time for reflection and abstinence, and many Jains observe a ritual fast to cleanse the body and soul. The purpose of fasting is to cleanse oneself of bad karma (the accumulation of bad deeds and their consequences). The term "Paryushan" conveys the idea of "abiding" or "coming together".
During Paryushan, Jains do not eat green and root vegetables, fruits, and underground vegetables. Instead, they eat lentils, wheat, rice, and other similar foods. They also cut down on cooking activities, as lighting a fire kills living organisms in theair. Jains believe that life exists in plants, earth, fire, water, and air, so they reduce the consumption of any of these. The only clear rule is that meals should be consumed between the hours of sunrise and sunset.
The fasting rules during Paryushan vary between different sects and individuals. Shvetambaras observe the festival for eight days, while Digambaras extend it to ten days. Some forgo food for the entire duration of the festival, only drinking boiled water—a practice known as athai. Others avoid green leafy vegetables, fruits (especially lemons), and refined flour. Some Jains practice Ekasana (one meal per day) or Biyasana (two meals a day). Many also observe Chauvihar, where they do not eat or drink after sunset until at least Navkarsi the next day.
In addition to fasting, Paryushan is a time for concentrated study, contemplation, and inner purification. Jains go to temples to pray, listen to sermons given by monks, and do Samayik and Pratikraman. They also engage in spiritual activities such as reading holy books and scriptures, chanting mantras, or counting rosary beads. The culmination of Paryushan involves a time of confession and forgiveness, where individuals are absolved of any transgressions from the previous year.
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Fresh vegetables are avoided during Paryushan
Paryushan is a significant festival for the Jain community, a time for reflection, abstinence, and
Some people also avoid fruits during Paryushan, especially lemons, apples, oranges, bananas, mangoes, and strawberries. However, green apples are allowed. Jains may consume only dried fruits or foods that do not involve fresh produce.
While fresh vegetables are avoided, milk and milk products, rice, lentils, cereals, and pulses take precedence in Paryushan recipes. Paneer, a type of Indian cottage cheese, is allowed during Paryushan and is used in various recipes.
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Jain dietary rules during Paryushan
Paryushan is one of the most important festivals for the Jain community, a time for reflection, abstinence, and fasting. It is an eight- to ten-day festival, depending on the Jain tradition, and falls between August and September. The festival is a time when Jains increase their spiritual intensity through fasting, prayer, and meditation, with the aim of doing as little harm as possible to plant life.
During Paryushan, Jains typically avoid root and underground vegetables, including potatoes, onions, and garlic. Green leafy vegetables, fruits (especially lemons), and refined flour are also often avoided. Instead, milk and milk products, such as paneer, dahi (yogurt), cheese, and cream, are commonly consumed, along with rice, lentils, cereals, and pulses.
Some specific Jain recipes during Paryushan include pakodawali kadhi, dal dhokli, dhokla, ker-sangri, and dahi wada. Paneer is also used in dishes like paneer tikka, paneer pinwheel, paneer makhani, and shahi paneer.
It is important to note that dietary practices during Paryushan can vary between families and individuals, and some Jains may choose to avoid certain foods, like paneer, fermented foods, or tomatoes, while others may not. The overall aim is to do as little harm as possible to plant life and to focus on spiritual practices.
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Jain Paryushan recipes
Paryushan is a time of ritual fasting and reflection for Jains, and the food eaten during this period is simple. Meals are consumed between sunrise and sunset, and individuals are mindful of their intake. The recipes below are suitable for the Jain Paryushan diet.
Breakfast and Snacks
- Pita bread and hummus
- Moong
- Papdi Chaat with Moong and Chole
- Khaman
- Upma
- Vermicilli Upma
- Plantain banana puff
- Poha (pouwa) Chundal
- Sabji (Vegetable/main dish)
- Tofu stir fry
- Shahi Paneer
- Pav Bhaji
- Misal
- Ragda Pattice
- Stuffed Tamatar
- Lal (Red/Black) Chana with gravy
- Pizza homemade with pineapple/jalapeno/olives
- Dahi Vada
- Besan Puda
- Kathi Rolls
- Quesadilla (tomatoes and bell pepper)
- Handvo
- Makai Upma
- Instant Poha Idli
- Sweet Banana Uttapam
- Mag ni Dal na Dhokla
- Spicy Urad Dal Puris
- Moong Dal Kachori
- Raw banana crisps/fritters/nuggets
- Plantain crisps
- Kela Bhajia
- Chakli
- Khakhra
- Mini Oats Khakhra
- Khakhra Chivda
- Sev-mumra
Desserts
- Badam ka sheera
- Lapsi
- Atte ka Sheera
- Nachni sesame khakhra
- Ragi khakhra
- Healthy tasty nachni khakhra
Main Dishes
- Pakodawali kadhi
- Dal dhokli
- Dhokla
- Ker-sangri
- Paneer pinwheel
- Paneer Makhani
- Chole Masala and Bhatura
- Moong Daal Khichdi
- Hing Kesari Paneer Tikka
- Lapsi
During Paryushan, Jains avoid root vegetables, green leafy vegetables, honey, ginger, garlic, coriander, curry leaves, and fruits with lots of seeds (such as strawberries).
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, paneer is allowed during Paryushan. In fact, it is one of the recommended foods to eat during the festival.
Paryushan is a Jain festival that is considered a time for reflection and abstinence. It is a period of concentrated study, contemplation, and inner purification.
Paryushan lasts for eight to ten days, typically during the monsoon season in India.
Fresh vegetables, fruits, root vegetables, and green leafy vegetables are avoided during Paryushan. Some people also avoid foods like potatoes, onions, and garlic.
In addition to paneer, other recommended foods include milk, dahi, cheese, cream, rice, lentils, cereals, and pulses.
