A yearly, elaborate penitential retreat called "samvatsari pratikramana" is performed on this day.

After the pratikramana, Jains seek forgiveness from all the creatures of the world, including friends and relatives by uttering the phrase — Micchami Dukkadam or its variants like "Khamau Sa", "Uttam Kshama" or "Khamat Khamna".

Samvatsara refers to a "year" in Vedic literature such as the Rigveda and other ancient texts.

No private quarrel or dispute may be carried beyond Saṃvatsarī and messages, telephone calls are made to the outstation friends and relatives asking their forgiveness.

This is because the Paryushan festival for the two sects itself commences on different dates and is of varying duration.