For Varshitap, “where to start” has three parts: 1) whom to start under, 2) how to prepare, 3) when to begin.

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1. Whom to start under

Never start Varshitap on your own. It is a very uchchh (high) tap.

• Take pachchakkhān (vow) in front of:

- Jain Muni / Āryikā / Sādhvī, or - If not available, a learned guru / vidhikār, or - At minimum, in a Jain temple in front of Jinālaya with a firm resolve.

• Clearly tell your capacity and health so the guru can adjust the niyam (rules).

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2. How to prepare before starting

Before fixing the start date, do for at least a few weeks:

1. Regular Samayik / Pratikraman (as per your tradition).
2. Practice smaller taps:

- Ekāsan, Biyasān - Upvās, Aṭṭham - Āyambil, Masakṣaman (if possible)

1. Medical/health check-up – especially if you have:

- diabetes, heart issues, blood pressure, pregnancy, old age, etc. Do not start if doctors clearly advise against long fasting.

1. Decide with your guru:

- Will you do full upvās on fasting days or āyambil / ekāsan? - How strict will you be with brahmacharya, vihār (travel), phone/use of media, etc.?

1. Strengthen bhāv:

- Daily Navkār Mantra, - Reading/listening of Rishabhdev/Rishabh Bhagwan charitra, - Resolve to avoid raag–dvesh, jhagrā, gossip, nindā during the varsha (year).

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3. When to begin (traditional timing)

In Śvetāmbara tradition (common practice):

• Varshitap normally starts on Chaitra Shukla 8
• Parṇā (ending) is done next year on Vaishakh Shukla 3 (Akṣay Tritiyā), usually with ikshurasa (sugarcane juice) in remembrance of Bhagwān Ṛishabhdev.

In Digambar tradition:

• Method and exact length can vary by pāṭhśālā / sampradāy.
• Some follow slightly different durations or formats (e.g., more focus on āyambil, stricter brahmacharya, different start-date).
• Always follow your own guru’s instructions; do not mix rules from other sampradāy.

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Simple step-by-step “starting plan”

1. Talk to your guru / Maharajsaheb / Apāsāheb and get explicit permission.
2. Do 1–2 months of smaller taps + regular samayik.
3. Get a health check and approval if you have any medical concern.
4. Fix:

- Start date (often Chaitra Shukla 8 for Śvetāmbara), - Type of upvās on fast days, - Rules for food on non-fast days, - Daily minimum spiritual routine (Samayik, Navkār, Swādhyāy).

1. On the first day:

- Go to Derāsar, do Pūjā / Navkārvālī, - Take formal pachchakkhān for Varshitap, - Start with shuddha bhāv, humility, and non-pride.

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For a simple English explanation of Varshitap vidhi you can read more here:

And for the basic meaning of what Varshitap is, see: