Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from September, 2012

Micchami Dukkadam - Samvastsari Mahaparv

There may be a time when your Jain colleagues, friends or neighbors come to you and say “ Micchami Dukkadam ” (seek forgiveness) with joined hands. You must have wondered what does this mean and why is he/she saying it to me? On the final day of Paryushan is Samvastsari Pratikraman (ritual for washing away sins). Jains seek forgiveness from all the creatures whom they may have harmed knowingly or unknowingly by uttering the phrase— Micchami Dukkadam. It means "If I have caused you offence in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or deed, then I seek your forgiveness". No private quarrel or dispute may be carried beyond Samvatsari, and traditionally, letters have been sent and telephone calls made to friends and relatives asking their forgiveness. Svetambara and Digambara are two major sects of Jain religion. Shvetambars observe the ritual over 8 days and Digambars over 10 days. It takes place during the monsoon season (Chaturmas), when travelling barefoot is di