Pakshik Aathum

Lord Mahavira

Jain

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Pakshik Aathum — the 8th tithi of each Shukla and Krishna paksha. A core monthly Jain Samvat fasting day across both Shvetambara and Digambara sects, observed ~25 times a year with Ekasana, Ayambil, or full Upvas.

Dates 2026–2027

January 10, 2026January 26, 2026February 9, 2026February 24, 2026March 11, 2026March 26, 2026April 10, 2026April 24, 2026May 10, 2026May 23, 2026June 8, 2026June 22, 2026July 8, 2026July 21, 2026August 6, 2026August 20, 2026September 4, 2026September 19, 2026October 3, 2026October 18, 2026November 2, 2026November 17, 2026December 1, 2026December 17, 2026December 31, 2026January 16, 2027January 29, 2027February 14, 2027February 28, 2027March 16, 2027March 30, 2027April 14, 2027April 29, 2027May 13, 2027May 29, 2027June 11, 2027June 27, 2027July 11, 2027July 27, 2027August 9, 2027August 25, 2027September 8, 2027September 23, 2027October 7, 2027October 23, 2027November 6, 2027November 21, 2027December 6, 2027December 20, 2027

Mantra

णमो अरिहंताणं णमो सिद्धाणं णमो आयरियाणं णमो उवज्झायाणं णमो लोए सव्वसाहूणं

Namo Arihantanam Namo Siddhanam Namo Ayariyanam Namo Uvajjhayanam Namo Loe Savva-Sahunam

I bow to the Arihantas · I bow to the Siddhas · I bow to the Acharyas · I bow to the Upadhyayas · I bow to all the Sadhus

✦ Special Note

Aathum is the Ashtami (8th tithi) of each fortnight. The Jain calendar assigns the tithi to the civil day it governs for most of the daylight hours, which can differ by a day from the mainstream Hindu (sunrise-tithi) reckoning. Observers do Pakshik Pratikraman in the evening and always observe Choviar (no food or water after sunset). Dates per Drik Panchang (drikpanchang.com, Jain calendar, New Delhi) with astronomical tithi verification.

Always Allowed

Boiled water — consumed only between sunrise and sunset

Avoided Year-Round

Root vegetables — potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, radishes, beetroot, turnip (anything underground)Eggplant (brinjal) and multi-seeded vegetables including green chilliesMushrooms and cauliflowerMeat, fish, eggsHoneyAlcohol and fermented foods — yeast breads, vinegar, picklesEating after sunset — never, on any dayCold, iced, or unboiled water — all water must be boiled

Additional Restrictions

Pakshik Ashtami — the 8th tithi of each lunar fortnight, traditionally observed with Ekasana (one plain Jain meal before sunset) or full Upvas (boiled water only).Always observe Choviar — no food or water after sunset.Many Tapagachchha Shvetambara observers do Pakshik Pratikraman the evening of Ashtami.

Meal Idea

Plain rice, moong dal and steamed lauki before sunset; or, for full Upvas, boiled water sipped between sunrise and sunset

Related vrats

Prioritising the same tradition and category, with related tradition or family entries when fewer than six exist.

Mauni Aathum (Posh Krishna Ashtami) — January 11, 2026Same tradition and category
Anant Chaturdashi — September 25, 2026Same tradition
Ayambil (Navpad Oli) — March 25, 2026Same tradition
Choviar (Chowvihar) — January 6, 2026Same tradition
Das Lakshana Parva — September 16, 2026Same tradition
Ekasana — January 2, 2026Same tradition

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