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Choviar (Chowvihar)

Lord Mahavira

Jain

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The Jain practice of giving up all food and water after sunset — observed especially on Ashtami and Chaturdashi of each paksha (~4 times per lunar month) and throughout Paryushana

Dates 2026–2027

January 6, 2026January 12, 2026January 20, 2026January 28, 2026February 5, 2026February 11, 2026February 19, 2026February 26, 2026March 6, 2026March 13, 2026March 21, 2026March 28, 2026April 5, 2026April 11, 2026April 19, 2026April 27, 2026May 5, 2026May 11, 2026May 19, 2026May 27, 2026June 4, 2026June 9, 2026June 17, 2026June 25, 2026July 3, 2026July 9, 2026July 17, 2026July 24, 2026August 1, 2026August 8, 2026August 16, 2026August 22, 2026August 30, 2026September 6, 2026September 14, 2026September 20, 2026September 28, 2026October 6, 2026October 14, 2026October 20, 2026October 28, 2026November 4, 2026November 12, 2026November 19, 2026November 27, 2026December 3, 2026December 11, 2026December 18, 2026December 26, 2026January 2, 2027January 10, 2027January 17, 2027January 25, 2027January 31, 2027February 8, 2027February 16, 2027February 24, 2027March 2, 2027March 10, 2027March 18, 2027March 26, 2027April 1, 2027April 9, 2027April 16, 2027April 24, 2027April 30, 2027May 8, 2027May 16, 2027May 24, 2027May 30, 2027June 7, 2027June 14, 2027June 22, 2027June 28, 2027July 6, 2027July 14, 2027July 22, 2027July 28, 2027August 5, 2027August 12, 2027August 20, 2027August 26, 2027September 3, 2027September 10, 2027September 18, 2027September 24, 2027October 2, 2027October 10, 2027October 18, 2027October 24, 2027November 1, 2027November 8, 2027November 16, 2027November 22, 2027November 30, 2027December 8, 2027December 16, 2027December 22, 2027December 30, 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 — the five supreme beings

How to recite

Recite the Namokar Mantra 108 times at sunset as you observe the Choviar vow. Evening Pratikraman is ideal on Ashtami and Chaturdashi — sit in stillness and recite the mantra with each bead of the mala as the sun descends.

Benefits

Choviar aligns the practitioner with the Panchvrata — the five great vows of Jain ethics: non-violence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non-stealing (Asteya), celibacy/restraint (Brahmacharya), and non-attachment (Aparigraha). Giving up food after sunset is an act of supreme Ahimsa — protecting the micro-organisms that emerge in food and the environment at night.

✦ Special Note

Choviar is one of the most accessible and transformative Jain austerities. It requires no full fast — only the discipline to stop eating when the sun sets. Lord Mahavira taught that eating at night causes violence to countless micro-organisms that are invisible to the eye. Choviar is the vow that protects them. Observed on Shukla Ashtami, Shukla Chaturdashi, Krishna Ashtami, and Krishna Chaturdashi each lunar month. During Paryushana (Sep 8–15, 2026, per Drik Panchang's Jain calendar), all observers maintain Choviar as the minimum austerity. Dates shown are approximate based on the Jain lunar panchang.

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

Choviar — no eating or drinking after sunset. This is the core vow. Even water is given up once the sun has set.Eat your final meal well before sunset so that it is completed, and all vessels are washed, before the sun touches the horizon.Green leafy vegetables (spinach, methi, coriander, fenugreek leaves) are avoided after midday — as micro-organisms in leaves multiply rapidly after afternoon, violating Ahimsa.Observed on Ashtami (8th tithi) and Chaturdashi (14th tithi) of both Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha — approximately four times each lunar month.Especially important during Paryushana (Sep 8–15, 2026) — all Paryushana observers maintain Choviar as a minimum austerity throughout.Many devout Jains observe Choviar daily as a permanent vow (Sthool Pratyakhyan). On Ashtami and Chaturdashi, even those who do not observe it daily are expected to observe it.Jain fasting rules vary by sect (Shvetambara/Digambara) and family tradition. Always follow your family's practice.

Meal Idea

Simple dal-chawal (moong dal and plain rice) with a little ghee — eaten calmly before sunset. No root vegetables, no seasoning beyond mild spices. The last bite before the sun sets.

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