In Achhalgach (Śvetāmbara tradition), Varshitap is done with the same basic Jain rules of Varshitap, but you must follow the maryādā (discipline) given by your Achhalgach Guru / Sahebji / Pujyashri. Below is a simple general guideline; do not treat this as a replacement for personal pachchakkhan from Guru.

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1. Nischay (Resolve) and Pachchakkhan

1. Decide clearly:

- I will do Varshitap for one year (Chaitra Shukla 8 to next year Vaishakh Shukla 3 – Akshaya Tritiya). - Fasting pattern: alternate day upvās.

1. Take pachchakkhan from:

- Ideally an Achhalgach Sadhu/Sadhvi. - If not possible, from a senior/learned person of your Achhalgach sangh, as they guide you according to your local maryādā.

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2. Basic pattern of Varshitap

Varshitap usually means:

• Day 1 – Upvās (fast):

- No food. - Only boiled water (as per your maryādā), usually only in day-time.

• Day 2 – Beshna / Ekāsan (eating day):

- You eat only on this day. - Most follow Ekasana (one sitting, one place, before sunset) or sometimes Beshna (two meals) according to capacity and guidance.

• Then again:

- Day 3 – Upvās - Day 4 – Ekāsan/Beshna - …and so on for the whole year.

In Achhalgach, night-eating is not allowed; food and water both are to be finished before sunset.

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3. Daily rules on Upvās days

1. Food/Water

- No food at all. - Only boiled, filtered water in daytime (how many times, how much – follow your Guru’s instruction). - Strictly no water after sunset.

1. Sādhana (spiritual practice)

- Navkār Mantra many times with dhyān (concentration). - Samayik if possible. - At least one Pratikraman (according to your Achhalgach text). - Swādhyāy (reading/listening) – life of Bhagwān Ṛishabhdev / other Jain granths.

1. Conduct

- Brahmacharya (celibacy). - Avoid gossip, anger, phone/TV etc. as much as possible. - Try to spend the day in shānt bhāv (peaceful, spiritual mood).

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4. Daily rules on Eating days

1. Before eating

- Do snān and pūjā/Dev-darshan if possible. - Take small pachchakkhan for: - Ekāsan or Beshna - No eating after sunset - Any extra niyam (no fried food, no sweets, no root vegetables, etc. as your Guru advises).

1. While eating

- Eat only before sunset, in one place, with full awareness. - Food should be simple, sāttvik, without taste-increasing items as far as possible. - Do not overeat; remember you are in tap, not a feast.

1. After eating

- Do Khamāsan / short Samayik if you can. - Avoid sleeping immediately after food. - Continue japa, swādhyāy, and gentle behaviour.

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5. Special Achhalgach points (general)

Exact details differ from city to city, but commonly in Achhalgach:

• Emphasis on:

- Boiled water only, within fixed time. - Strict no night-eating; even medicines/water at night are to be asked in special pachchakkhan if needed. - Regular Pratikraman in their own Achhalgach text / tune.

• Some Gurus may instruct:

- Particular niyams (e.g. no milk, no ghee, no sweets on eating days). - Specific pūjā / stavan daily.

So, always check your own sangh’s written maryādā or ask Guru/Sahebji and follow that as final.

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6. Ending Varshitap – Parnā (Akshaya Tritiyā)

1. Varshitap generally ends on Vaishakh Shukla 3 (Akshaya Tritiya).
2. On that day:

- Do special pūjā, Navkār, Pratikraman with deep gratitude. - Parnā is usually done with sugarcane juice (ikshu-rasa) or gud-pāni as per local custom. - Take very light food afterwards.

1. Maintain vinay (humility) – think, “This is Bhagwān’s krupā and sangh’s support, not my greatness.”

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7. Health and precautions

• Do not start Varshitap without checking:

- Your health and strength. - Family and Guru’s approval.

• If you become seriously unwell:

- Inform Guru/doctors. - Tap can be mildly changed (e.g. instead of upvās, do ekāsan or ayambil) based on Guru’s guidance.

• The bhāv (inner feeling) is more important than show.

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For a simple general explanation of Varshitap vidhi in English, you can also read here

Always keep one main line in mind: “Jo Achhalgach Guru kahe, te ja sachi maryādā.” Follow their shāsan, and your Varshitap will be spiritually safe and fruitful.