Paryushan is one of the main festivals in Jain Dharma. Fasting is also an integral part of the Paryushan Week.
Parna or Paarna means breaking the fast (or series of fasts) the next morning. You can know more about why do Jains Fast here. Fast is usually broken 48 minutes after Sunrise. This is usually done after praying to god with Navkar Mantra and Pachkan. To know about various Pachkans – Click Here.
What is Navkarsi ?
Don’t eat or drink anything untill 48 minutes after the sunrise, then sit at one place , fold your hand (Muththi vaalavi or handful), recite Navkar 3 times and then take food or water. By doing navkarsi one day, a person can shed karmas equivalent to 100 years of torture in hell – i.e. karma nirjara.
What is Pachkan?
Pachkan is basically an oath. It means you have committed to something be it fast or not eating after sunset.
Some of the things you usually prepare to break one fast are below:
- Moong (Usually served with Khakra)
- Chutti Moong Dal (Usually served with Khakra)
For Attham, Atthai more fasts, here are some of the options:
- Gud Water (Jaggery) (Gol Nu Paani)
- Moong Water (Mag Nu Paani)
- Taj and Laving Water (Cinnamon Sticks and Cloves)
When doing several fasts, you need to be extra cautious when eating / drinking during the following days. You should avoid any sour food like Yogurt, Lemon or fermented foods like Idlis, Dosas etc. These may cause swellings. You should ideally break your fasts and consume liquids and milder foods like Rice. This is because your body is not used to solid foods and it will affect your health.
You can provide more information in comments below.
Keywords: Parnu, Paarnu, Paarna, Parna, Chovihar, Chouvihar, Choviyaar
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