Jain Chaturdashi ending the monsoon Chaturmas; monks resume travel after Kartika Purnima

Kartika Chaumasi Chaudas is the Chaturdashi of the bright half of Kartika, which closes the Chaturmas — the four-month rainy-season retreat — in the Jain calendar. During Chaturmas, Jain monks and nuns stay in one place so as not to harm the countless small creatures that emerge in the rains, and householders intensify fasting, study and restraint. There are three Chaumasi Chaudas each year (Ashadha, Kartika and Phalguna), marking the seasonal quarters, and on each the Chaumasi Pratikraman — a long ritual of reflection and repentance for faults committed over the previous four months — is performed. On Kartika Chaumasi Chaudas, Jains fast (upvas, ayambil or ekasana), perform the pratikraman in the evening, and seek forgiveness from all living beings. The following day, Kartika Purnima, the monks and nuns begin their vihar (travels) again, and the Shatrunjaya hill at Palitana, closed during the monsoon, reopens for the great pilgrimage. It also falls within the Kartika Ashtahnika festival, and many Jain communities hold rath yatras.

Upvas (only boiled water between sunrise and sunset), ayambil or ekasana.