Varshitap = “Varsh + Tap” A year‑long tapa (about 13 months 13 days) done in memory of Adinath (Rishabhdev) Bhagwan’s 400‑day fast, completed on Akshaya Tritiya with sugarcane juice.

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1. What is Varshitap?

• One of the highest tapas in Jain dharma.
• Pattern (common Śvetāmbara practice):

- Alternate‑day upvās – one day full fast (only boiled water), - next day limited food (ekāsan or beysan) with many niyams.

• Performed with great care, guru’s guidance and doctor’s caution because it is physically and mentally very demanding.

Digambar – Śvetāmbara note

• Scriptural incident (Rishabhdev’s fast) is accepted by both:

- Śvetāmbara tradition: approx. 400 days. - Digambar tradition: about 6 months continuous fast.

• The popular year‑long Varshitap vrata with alternate‑day fasting is mainly followed in the Śvetāmbara community; Digambar Jains also do very strong long‑term fasts but often with somewhat different formats.

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2. Basic Varshitap Vidhi (simple outline)

(A) Before starting

1. Take permission / ājñā

- From Guru / Āchārya / learned sādhujī or sādhvījī if possible. - At least from parents / family if you are a layperson (śrāvaka/śrāvikā).

1. Decide clear niyams, e.g.:

- Will you do pure alternate‑day upvās, or some days ekāsan/beysan (as per guidance)? - Type of aahar: only Jain sātvika food, no roots, no green after sunset, etc. - Daily minimum sādhanā: - Navkār mantra, - Samayik / pratikraman, - Pāth of Adinath Bhagwan (e.g. Bhaktāmara, Ādinath stavan), - Swādhyāy (Jain scripture study).

1. Health check

- Varshitap is not for small children, pregnant women, or those with serious illness, unless a very experienced guru and doctor both agree.

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(B) During Varshitap (everyday conduct – very simple points)

On Upvās days:

• Only boiled water within fixed time (e.g. sunrise to sunset, per your niyam).
• No food, no milk, no juice (unless your guru gives a special niyam for health).

On Bhojan days:

• Usually ekāsan (one sitting) or beysan (two sittings) – as fixed earlier.
• Eat very simple Jain food:

- No taste‑excitement; avoid fried, very spicy, sweets for enjoyment, etc. - Strict care of apadhyāy (faults in food) – not specially prepared for you, no violence, etc.

Daily spiritual niyams (both days):

• Samayik / Pratikraman – at least once daily.
• Jap of Navkār mantra, Logassa, etc.
• Darshan / bhakti of Adinath Bhagwan (picture or idol) remembering His fast.
• Practice maun (silence) for some time daily if possible.
• Control of krodh, mān, māyā, lobh (anger, pride, deceit, greed) as the real inner tapa.

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(C) Parna Vidhi (breaking the Varshitap)

1. Day of Parna – Akshaya Tritiya

- Tithi: Vaiśākh Śukla 3. - Dedicated to Rishabhdev Bhagwan’s parna with sugarcane juice.

1. How Parna is generally done

- Get guru‑ājñā or at least guidance from a learned Jain. - Perform Pūjā / Pāth / Prārthanā of Adinath Bhagwan. - Do pratikraman and kṣamā‑yāchanā (asking forgiveness) for all faults in tapa. - Parna‑dravyā: - Traditionally gaṇṇā‑ras (sugarcane juice). - If not possible, then other very simple satvik liquid / food as told by guru. - The person sits calmly, chants Navkār, remembers Rishabhdev’s parna, and then slowly sips the juice/food. - Avoid overeating; keep first day’s diet very light.

Many people try to do parna at Hastinapur, Palitana, or another Adinath tirth, but it is not compulsory; bhāva (inner feeling) is most important.

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3. Varshitap – Traditional Tithi Rule

For the Varshitap associated with Adinath Bhagwan:

• Start tithi:

Chaitra Śukla Ashtami (8th day of bright half of Chaitra).

• End / Parna tithi:

Next year Vaiśākh Śukla Tritiya (Akshaya Tritiya).

So every year, for that Varshitap:

• Start = Chaitra Śukla 8
• Parna = Vaiśākh Śukla 3 (Akshaya Tritiya).

You can see this rule explained here

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4. Exact dates for 2026

When people say “Varshitap 2026”, they usually mean the Varshitap whose parna (completion) falls in 2026.

According to the JainKnowledge Panchāng‑based answer:

• Parna (completion) in 2026

- Date: Monday, 20 April 2026 - Tithi: Vaiśākh Śukla 3 – Akshaya Tritiya

This is the day when Varshitap will be completed and parna is done in 2026. Reference:

Start tithi for this Varshitap

• For this 2026‑parna Varshitap, the start (ārambh) tithi is:

- Chaitra Śukla 8 of the previous Jain year (Chaitra of 2025, because the tapa runs ~13 months 13 days).

The exact English calendar date of that Chaitra Śukla 8 (in 2025) can slightly differ by location and Panchāng, so for a precise start date in your city you should:

• Check a Jain Panchāng / Jain calendar for your region, or
• Ask your local Jain sangh / guru who is organizing Varshitap.

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5. If you want to start Varshitap in the year 2026

• Then your parna will be in 2027, on

Vaiśākh Śukla 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) of 2027.

• Your start date will be

Chaitra Śukla 8 of 2026 (exact English date: again, check local Jain Panchāng).

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Summary (very short)

• Varshitap = year‑long alternate‑day tapa in memory of Rishabhdev Bhagwan’s 400‑day fast.
• Vidhi: start with guru‑ājñā, keep strong niyams, alternate upvās and restricted aahar, daily sādhanā, and do parna with sugarcane juice on Akshaya Tritiya.
• For the Varshitap that finishes in 2026:

- Parna date: Monday, 20 April 2026 (Vaiśākh Śukla 3, Akshaya Tritiya). - Start tithi: Chaitra Śukla 8 of the previous year (English date from local Jain Panchāng).