Jain Calendar 1988
A month-by-month list of the significant Jain festivals and fasting (upvas) days - Paryushan and Samvatsari, Mahavir Jayanti, the twelve Rohini Vrats, the Ashtahnika and Navpad Oli parvas, the Chaumasi Chaudas, Varshi Tap and Mahavir Nirvana - with the date and tithi of each.
The Jain Calendar lists 45 dates in 1988, from Rohini Vrat on 1 January through Rohini Vrat on 22 December. November holds the most with 9 dates. The year runs through Vikram Samvat 2044 – 2045. 1988 carries an Adhik Maas (Jyeshtha (Adhik)), the extra lunar month that pushes several dates later than usual. Mahavir Jayanti fell on 31 March, Paryushan began on 8 September, Samvatsari fell on 15 September and Mahavir Nirvana fell on 9 November.
Jain Festivals & Fasting Days
January 1988 Pausha – Magha
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Rohini Vrat Vrat
Tithi 2:56 AM – 3:51 AM, Jan 2
A fasting day observed when the Rohini nakshatra prevails - kept mainly by Jain women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.
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Parshvanath Janma Kalyanak
Tithi 1:19 AM – 12:55 AM, Jan 15
The birth anniversary (Janma Kalyanak) of Bhagwan Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara, on Pausha Krishna Dashami - kept with the Uvasaggaharam Stotra jaap and fasting.
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Meru Trayodashi
Tithi 8:57 PM, Jan 16 – 6:02 PM
The nirvana (moksha) day of the first Tirthankara, Bhagwan Rishabhadeva (Adinatha), venerated with worship of the sacred Mount Meru.
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Rohini Vrat Vrat
Tithi 4:12 PM, Jan 28 – 5:35 PM
A fasting day observed when the Rohini nakshatra prevails - kept mainly by Jain women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.
February 1988 Magha – Phalguna
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Phalguna Ashtahnika Begins Vrat
Tithi 5:52 AM – 5:14 AM, Feb 24
The eight-day Ashtahnika Parva preceding the Chaumasi, when the Jains venerate the eternal (shashvata) Jina images with collective worship.
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Rohini Vrat Vrat
Tithi 6:05 AM – 6:57 AM, Feb 26
A fasting day observed when the Rohini nakshatra prevails - kept mainly by Jain women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.
March 1988 Phalguna – Chaitra
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Phalguna Chaumasi Chaudas Vrat
Tithi 4:21 PM, Mar 1 – 7:00 PM
The Chaturmasic Chaudas closing one of the three four-month periods, marked by Pratikraman, fasting and penance.
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Phalguna Ashtahnika Ends Vrat
Tithi 7:00 PM, Mar 2 – 9:32 PM
The eight-day Ashtahnika Parva preceding the Chaumasi, when the Jains venerate the eternal (shashvata) Jina images with collective worship.
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Varshitapa Arambha Vrat
Tithi 4:56 AM – 4:03 AM, Mar 12
The beginning of Varshi Tap - a year-long penance of alternate-day fasting commemorating Bhagwan Rishabhadeva's long fast before his first alms.
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Rohini Vrat Vrat
Tithi 8:48 PM, Mar 22 – 8:40 PM
A fasting day observed when the Rohini nakshatra prevails - kept mainly by Jain women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.
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Chaitra Navapada Oli Begins Vrat
Tithi 8:45 PM, Mar 23 – 9:24 PM
The nine-day Ayambil (Navpad) Oli - a semi-fast venerating the nine supreme entities (Navpad), observed twice a year in Chaitra and Ashwin.
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Mahavir Swami Jayanti
Tithi 8:47 AM, Mar 30 – 11:06 AM
The birth anniversary of Bhagwan Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi - celebrated with processions, abhishek and charity.
April 1988 Chaitra – Vaishakha
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Chaitra Navapada Oli Ends Vrat
Tithi 1:16 PM, Apr 1 – 2:52 PM
The nine-day Ayambil (Navpad) Oli - a semi-fast venerating the nine supreme entities (Navpad), observed twice a year in Chaitra and Ashwin.
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Varshitapa Parana
Tithi 1:19 PM, Apr 18 – 12:18 PM
The breaking (parana) of the year-long Varshi Tap with sugarcane juice on Akshaya Tritiya, as Bhagwan Rishabhadeva broke his fast.
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Rohini Vrat Vrat
Tithi 12:08 PM, Apr 19 – 11:51 AM
A fasting day observed when the Rohini nakshatra prevails - kept mainly by Jain women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.
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Mahavira Swami Kevalagyan
Tithi 7:43 PM, Apr 25 – 10:18 PM
The day Bhagwan Mahavira attained Kevala Jnana - infinite knowledge and omniscience.
May 1988 Vaishakha – Jyeshtha – Jyeshtha (Adhik)
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Rohini Vrat Vrat
Tithi 2:38 AM – 1:55 AM, May 18
A fasting day observed when the Rohini nakshatra prevails - kept mainly by Jain women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.
June 1988 Jyeshtha (Adhik) – Ashadha
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Rohini Vrat Vrat
Tithi 3:26 PM, Jun 12 – 2:52 PM
A fasting day observed when the Rohini nakshatra prevails - kept mainly by Jain women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.
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Shruta Panchami
Tithi 7:17 PM, Jun 18 – 9:36 PM
The Digambara festival venerating the Jain scriptures (Shruta) on Jyeshtha Shukla Panchami - commemorating the day the Shatkhandagama was first written down.
July 1988 Ashadha – Shravana
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Rohini Vrat Vrat
Tithi 1:14 AM – 1:22 AM, Jul 12
A fasting day observed when the Rohini nakshatra prevails - kept mainly by Jain women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.
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Ashadha Ashtahnika Begins Vrat
Tithi 5:02 PM, Jul 20 – 7:02 PM
The eight-day Ashtahnika Parva preceding the Chaumasi, when the Jains venerate the eternal (shashvata) Jina images with collective worship.
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Ashadha Chaumasi Chaudas Vrat
Tithi 3:21 PM, Jul 27 – 12:16 PM
The Chaturmasic Chaudas closing one of the three four-month periods, marked by Pratikraman, fasting and penance.
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Ashadha Ashtahnika Ends Vrat
Tithi 12:21 PM, Jul 28 – 8:55 AM
The eight-day Ashtahnika Parva preceding the Chaumasi, when the Jains venerate the eternal (shashvata) Jina images with collective worship.
August 1988 Shravana – Bhadrapada
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Rohini Vrat Vrat
Tithi 10:37 AM, Aug 6 – 10:47 AM
A fasting day observed when the Rohini nakshatra prevails - kept mainly by Jain women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.
September 1988 Bhadrapada – Ashwina
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Rohini Vrat Vrat
Tithi 9:31 PM, Sep 2 – 9:08 PM
A fasting day observed when the Rohini nakshatra prevails - kept mainly by Jain women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.
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Paryushana Parvarambha
Tithi 2:39 AM – 4:59 AM, Sep 9
The start of Paryushan - the holiest eight-day festival of the Jains - of fasting, scriptural study, penance and forgiveness.
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Samvatsari Parva
Tithi 5:27 PM, Sep 14 – 7:11 PM
The final and holiest day of Paryushan - of Pratikraman and Michhami Dukkadam, seeking forgiveness from every living being.
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Das Lakshana Parva Begins
Tithi 7:11 PM, Sep 15 – 8:27 PM
The ten-day Digambara festival of the ten supreme virtues (dharma), from Bhadrapada Shukla Panchami to Chaturdashi - the Digambara counterpart of Paryushan.
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Anant Chaturdashi Vrat
Tithi 11:29 AM, Sep 23 – 7:57 AM
The closing day of Das Lakshana, when the fourteen-knot thread of Ananta is worshipped and the Ananta Vrat is observed on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi.
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Kshamavani Parva
Tithi 4:18 AM – 12:36 AM, Sep 26
The Digambara day of universal forgiveness, the day after Das Lakshana - Jains seek and grant pardon with the words Uttam Kshama and Michhami Dukkadam.
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Rohini Vrat Vrat
Tithi 12:15 PM, Sep 29 – 10:53 AM
A fasting day observed when the Rohini nakshatra prevails - kept mainly by Jain women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.
October 1988 Ashwina – Kartika
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Ashwina Navapada Oli Begins Vrat
Tithi 8:14 AM, Oct 17 – 7:08 AM
The nine-day Ayambil (Navpad) Oli - a semi-fast venerating the nine supreme entities (Navpad), observed twice a year in Chaitra and Ashwin.
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Ashwina Navapada Oli Ends Vrat
Tithi 1:13 PM, Oct 24 – 10:05 AM
The nine-day Ayambil (Navpad) Oli - a semi-fast venerating the nine supreme entities (Navpad), observed twice a year in Chaitra and Ashwin.
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Rohini Vrat Vrat
Tithi 2:40 AM – 1:12 AM, Oct 29
A fasting day observed when the Rohini nakshatra prevails - kept mainly by Jain women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.
November 1988 Kartika – Margashirsha
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Mahavir Nirvana (Diwali)
Tithi 6:48 PM, Nov 8 – 7:53 PM
Diwali marks the nirvana (final liberation) of Bhagwan Mahavira at Pavapuri; Jains keep it with fasting, the Nirvana Laddu and recitation of his last sermon.
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Jain New Year (Vira Nirvana Samvat)
Tithi 7:52 PM, Nov 9 – 8:29 PM
The first day of the Jain Vira Nirvana Samvat year - the morning after Mahavira's nirvana, also the day Gautam Swami attained Kevala Jnana.
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Bhai Dooj (Bhratri Dwitiya)
Tithi 8:27 PM, Nov 10 – 8:36 PM
Sisters honour their brothers on Kartika Shukla Dwitiya, the day Gautam Swami is said to have visited his sister, closing the Diwali observances.
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Jnan Panchami (Labh Panchami)
Tithi 7:40 PM, Nov 13 – 6:44 PM
Knowledge (Jnan) Panchami - Jain scriptures and the gift of knowledge are venerated; in Gujarat it is also kept as Labh Panchami.
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Kartika Ashtahnika Begins Vrat
Tithi 5:31 PM, Nov 15 – 3:58 PM
The eight-day Ashtahnika Parva preceding the Chaumasi, when the Jains venerate the eternal (shashvata) Jina images with collective worship.
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Kartika Chaumasi Chaudas Vrat
Tithi 2:05 AM – 11:33 PM
The Chaturmasic Chaudas closing one of the three four-month periods, marked by Pratikraman, fasting and penance.
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Kartika Ratha Yatra
Tithi 11:35 PM, Nov 22 – 9:18 PM
The Kartik Purnima chariot procession (Ratha Yatra) and the great pilgrimage to Shatrunjaya (Palitana), reopened after the Chaturmas.
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Kartika Ashtahnika Ends Vrat
Tithi 11:35 PM, Nov 22 – 9:18 PM
The eight-day Ashtahnika Parva preceding the Chaumasi, when the Jains venerate the eternal (shashvata) Jina images with collective worship.
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Rohini Vrat Vrat
Tithi 9:20 PM, Nov 23 – 7:29 PM
A fasting day observed when the Rohini nakshatra prevails - kept mainly by Jain women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.
December 1988 Margashirsha – Pausha
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Maun Ekadashi Vrat
Tithi 6:15 PM, Dec 18 – 4:22 PM
The great silent (Maun) fast of Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, on which 150 Kalyanaks of the Tirthankaras are commemorated - kept with silence, fasting and Posaha.
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Rohini Vrat Vrat
Tithi 12:56 PM, Dec 21 – 11:47 AM
A fasting day observed when the Rohini nakshatra prevails - kept mainly by Jain women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.
Tithi start and end times are shown in your local time. Festival dates follow the standard Indian (sunrise) calendar and may vary by a day in other regions, and may differ slightly from regional almanacs (especially around an Adhik Maas).
What happened in the sky in 1988
Beyond the dates the Jain Calendar lists, 1988 brought 4 eclipses - 2 solar and 2 lunar - of which 4 were above the horizon somewhere in India. The year also carried an Adhik Maas, the extra lunar month of Jyeshtha, running from 16 May 1988 to 14 June 1988. Jain New Year (Vira Nirvana Samvat) fell on 10 November, 19 days later in the year than in 1987 - a lunar year runs about eleven days short of a solar one.
Eclipses of 1988
| Date (IST) | Eclipse | Hindu date | Seen from India |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Mar 9:42 PM | Penumbral lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahan) | Phalguna Purnima | Penumbral only |
| 18 Mar 7:28 AM | Total solar eclipse (Surya Grahan) | Chaitra Amavasya | Yes - Sutak observed |
| 27 Aug 4:34 PM | Partial lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahan) | Bhadrapada Purnima | Yes - Sutak observed |
| 11 Sep 10:13 AM | Annular solar eclipse (Surya Grahan) 3 days after Paryushana Parvarambha | Bhadrapada Amavasya | Yes - Sutak observed |
Sutak Kaal was observed for 3 of these. A penumbral (Upachhaya) eclipse is not counted as a grahan.
Guru and Shani in 1988
| Date | Graha | Sign change |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Feb 2:40 AM | Guru (Jupiter) | Meena → Mesha |
| 19 Jun 11:10 PM | Guru (Jupiter) | Mesha → Vrishabha |
Jupiter takes about a year to cross a sign, Saturn about two and a half. Rahu entered Kumbha on 6 March 1988, carrying the eclipse axis with it.
Related Calculators
Frequently asked questions about the Jain Calendar 1988
How many festivals and vrats does the Jain Calendar list in 1988?
The Jain Calendar lists 45 dates in 1988, of which 30 are vrats. The first is Rohini Vrat on Friday, 1 January 1988, and the last is Rohini Vrat on Thursday, 22 December 1988.
When was Paryushan in 1988?
Paryushan began on Thursday, 8 September 1988 and closed on Samvatsari, Thursday, 15 September 1988.
The Digambara Das Lakshana Parva began on Friday, 16 September 1988.
When was Mahavir Jayanti in 1988?
Mahavir Swami Jayanti fell on Thursday, 31 March 1988 (Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi), the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Mahavira.
When was Mahavir Nirvana in 1988?
Mahavir Nirvana was observed on Wednesday, 9 November 1988, the same day as Diwali.
The Jain New Year (Vira Nirvana Samvat) began the next morning, Thursday, 10 November 1988.
What are the main festival dates in the Jain Calendar for 1988?
The main observances in 1988 are:
- Mahavir Jayanti - Thursday, 31 March 1988
- Paryushan - Thursday, 8 September 1988
- Samvatsari - Thursday, 15 September 1988
- Mahavir Nirvana - Wednesday, 9 November 1988
Which month of 1988 has the most observances in the Jain Calendar?
November 1988 is the fullest month with 9 dates, including Mahavir Nirvana (Diwali), Jain New Year (Vira Nirvana Samvat), Bhai Dooj (Bhratri Dwitiya), Jnan Panchami (Labh Panchami), Kartika Ashtahnika Begins, Kartika Chaumasi Chaudas, Kartika Ashtahnika Ends, Kartika Ratha Yatra.
Which traditional year does 1988 correspond to in the Jain Calendar?
The Gregorian year 1988 spans Vikram Samvat 2044 – 2045. The traditional year does not begin on 1 January, so one Gregorian year usually covers the end of one era year and the start of the next.
Did 1988 have an Adhik Maas?
Yes. 1988 carried an Adhik Maas (Jyeshtha (Adhik)), the extra lunar month inserted roughly every third year to keep the lunar calendar in step with the solar one. Festivals falling after it shift later in the Gregorian year, which is why 1988 dates can look out of place beside a neighbouring year.
Were there any eclipses in 1988?
1988 had 4 eclipses:
- 3 March 1988 - Penumbral lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahan), penumbral only, so no Sutak was observed
- 18 March 1988 - Total solar eclipse (Surya Grahan), visible in India, so Sutak Kaal was observed
- 27 August 1988 - Partial lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahan), visible in India, so Sutak Kaal was observed
- 11 September 1988 - Annular solar eclipse (Surya Grahan), visible in India, so Sutak Kaal was observed
Sutak Kaal is observed only for an eclipse actually visible where you are, so 3 of these were kept in India.
Did Guru or Shani change sign in 1988?
Yes - 2 sign changes among the slow grahas in 1988:
- Guru (Jupiter) entered Mesha on 3 February 1988
- Guru (Jupiter) entered Vrishabha on 19 June 1988
Jupiter takes about a year to cross one sign and Saturn about two and a half, so these transits colour the whole year rather than a single week.
Are these 1988 dates the same everywhere?
The dates follow the standard Indian sunrise-based calendar. Because a tithi begins and ends at a fixed moment rather than at midnight, an observance can fall a day earlier or later where sunrise differs - most noticeably outside India. Set your city in the box at the top to see the start and end times in your own local time, and check the daily Panchang for the exact window on the day.
About the Jain Calendar
A month-by-month list of the significant Jain festivals and fasting (upvas) days - Paryushan and Samvatsari, Mahavir Jayanti, the twelve Rohini Vrats, the Ashtahnika and Navpad Oli parvas, the Chaumasi Chaudas, Varshi Tap and Mahavir Nirvana - with the date and tithi of each.
Each entry lists the festival or vrat with its date, the prevailing tithi, and a short note on the observance. Use the year links to plan ahead into the coming years or to look up a date from the archive.
This list is the festival dates, not the daily five limbs. For sunrise, Rahu Kalam and the day's yoga, open the Panchang. Other calendars are on the Calendars index. The story of a fast is under Vrat Katha.
