In short
Samvatsari is the final and most sacred day of Shwetambar Paryushan. Devotees perform the annual Samvatsari Pratikraman, review the whole year's conduct, and offer Micchami Dukkadam — asking forgiveness of every living being for harm caused knowingly or unknowingly.
- Observance
- Shwetambar Paryushan
- Day
- 8 of 8
- Theme
- Samvatsari — the Day of Forgiveness (संवत्सरी)
- Expected date
- 15 September 2026 — confirm with your panchang
Samvatsari is the summit of Paryushan and, many would say, of the Jain year. Everything in the preceding seven days has been preparation for what is asked today: to seek forgiveness genuinely, and to give it without condition.
Samvatsari Pratikraman
The central observance is the annual pratikraman — a long, formal review of the year's conduct, performed with the sangh. Where the daily pratikraman reviews a day, this one reviews a year: every harm caused, every vow broken, every unkindness, named and repented.
Micchami Dukkadam
The phrase is offered to family, friends, colleagues, strangers and to all living beings: if I have caused you harm, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or deed, may that harm be forgiven. It is not a greeting to be forwarded lightly. Said properly it is an admission, and it asks something of the person saying it.
Forgiving is the harder half
Asking forgiveness is difficult; granting it is harder. Jain teaching is unambiguous that both are required — khamemi savve jiva, savve jiva khamantu me: I forgive all beings, and may all beings forgive me. A forgiveness offered while the grievance is quietly retained has not been offered.
Beginning again
Samvatsari is not an ending. Its purpose is to clear the year so that the next can begin without its weight. Whoever you could not face today, face tomorrow.
The Samvatsari verse of forgiveness
खामेमि सव्वे जीवा, सव्वे जीवा खमंतु मे।
मित्ती मे सव्व भूएसु, वेरं मज्झ न केणइ॥Khāmemi savve jīvā, savve jīvā khamantu me.
Mittī me savva bhūesu, veraṁ majjha na keṇai.I forgive all living beings, and may all living beings forgive me. I hold friendship towards all, and enmity towards none.
How to observe this day
- Perform Samvatsari Pratikraman with your sangh.
- Ask forgiveness in person or by voice — not only by message.
- Begin with whoever is hardest to approach.
- Grant forgiveness fully, without keeping the grievance in reserve.
- Include animals and unseen beings in your asking.
Observance and timings vary between sanghs and regions. Please confirm with your local sangh and panchang. Fasting should be undertaken within your own capacity — consult your guru or an elder, and a doctor if you have any medical condition.
Common questions
What is Samvatsari?
Samvatsari is the eighth and final day of Shwetambar Paryushan, and the most sacred day of the Jain year. Devotees perform the annual pratikraman and seek and grant forgiveness from all living beings.
What does Micchami Dukkadam mean?
It means: if I have caused you harm, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or deed, may that harm be forgiven. It is an admission and a request, not merely a greeting.
Is Samvatsari the same as Kshamavani?
They serve the same purpose in different traditions. Samvatsari concludes Shwetambar Paryushan; Kshamavani follows the ten days of Digambar Das Lakshan Parva. Both are days of asking and granting forgiveness.