Paryushana is a festival devoid of revelry or material expression. It is a time when ordinary Jains commemorate the traditional two-month period of rest for their wandering teacher-monks. The word Paryushana, in essence, means 'monks at rest'.

The festival marks the beginning of the rest period for the Jain monks. For the Swetambara sect of Jains, Paryushana is an eight-day event, while for the Digambaras it stretches over ten days.

In the Indian calendar, Paryushana begins on panchami (fifth day) of the shukla phase of the Bhadrapada month. This is August-September, and peak monsoon time. Lord Mahavira is said to have initiated Paryushana on this day, during his days of asceticism, and both sects conform to this date.

Logically, the monsoon would be a period of rest for the Jain monks since travelling in torrential rains is near impossible. But there is more to it than mere logic. First, having the monks in one place provides ordinary Jains with the opportunity to visit the monks, listen to their discourses and "to revive and reinvigorate inner energies".

And for the monks, almost as importantly, staying in one place during the monsoon reduces the risk of causing accidental death to numerous insects and smaller forms of life that thrive during the rains.

There are no legends attached to this festival.