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I want to start varshitap.. please explain in detail with vidhi and fasting dates
Very beautiful sankalp.
I’ll explain in two parts:
- What is Varshitap and basic pattern
- Practical vidhi (how to do it) and dates (Jain calendar + 2026 info)
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1. What is Varshitap?
- Varshitap (Varsi‑tap) is a long, alternate‑day fasting tap inspired by Bhagwan Rishabhdev.
- In common Śvetāmbara practice it is done for about 13 months + 13 days, ending on Akshay Tritiya (Vaishakh Shukla 3), when Bhagwan Rishabhdev broke his long fast with sugarcane juice. ( jainknowledge.com)
- Digambar tradition also accepts Varshitap, though duration and exact pattern can vary slightly (some follow a shorter form). The bhav (inner feeling) is same – steady tap to burn karma.
Core idea: Fast strictly on some days, eat simply and with discipline on the “between” days, and keep bhakti, pratikraman, samayik, svadhyaya strong throughout the year.
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2. When does Varshitap normally start and end?
Traditional Jain Calendar Rule
Most commonly followed rule (especially Śvetāmbara):
- Start: Chaitra Shukla Ashtami (8th day of bright half of Chaitra) ( jainknowledge.com)
- End / Parna: Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya (Akshay Tritiya) next year
These are tithis; exact English dates change every year and also can differ by country/city (moonrise etc.). Always confirm with your local Jain panchang / sangh / guru.
2026 Specific (since you asked now)
For the 2026 Akshay Tritiya:
- Parna (end) in 2026:
If you want to do the full traditional Varshitap cycle, you would start on Chaitra Shukla 8 of 2025 and complete on Akshay Tritiya 2026.
If you are planning to start now (2026):
- You can still start from Chaitra Shukla 8 of this year and complete on Akshay Tritiya 2027.
- Please check the exact English date of Chaitra Shukla 8, 2026 in your local Jain calendar.
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3. Basic Pattern of Fasting
There are small differences by sangh, but a common Śvetāmbara style is: ( jainknowledge.com)
- Tap days (fasting days):
- Between days (non‑fast days):
- If a special tithi like Chaudas etc. comes, some traditions keep two fasts together – your guru or local maryada will guide.
Some people keep:
- All “tap” days as complete Upvas
- Some keep “tap” days as Ayambil (one very simple, tasteless meal) – but the more common is full fast.
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4. Step‑by‑Step Vidhi (simple and practical)
A. Before starting
- Take permission and guidance
- Take aagya from your Guru / sadhviji / senior shravak. - Check your health with a doctor if needed – this is a strong tap.
- Fix your niyam
Decide clearly: - Pattern: - Upvas on alternate days? - Ekasana or Beasana on between days? - Water rules (boiled, up to what time). - What foods avoided even on eating days (e.g. root vegetables, outside food, sweets, fried, etc.). - Daily minimum spiritual routine (see below).
- Take Anushthan / Pachhakhan (Vow)
- In front of Jin mandir or at home near idol/photos and Navkar mantra yantra: - Recite Navkar Mantra slowly, with full bhav. - Do Alochana–Pratikraman for past faults (even short form is ok). - Then say in your own language or in simple words: “I am taking Varshitap from today till Akshay Tritiya, as per Jain discipline, with Upvas on alternate days and simple food on other days. May I not hurt any living being, and may this tap become a cause for samyak darshan and kshaya of paap.”
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B. Daily Vidhi on Fasting Days (Upvas Day)
- Morning
- Snan, wear clean clothes. - Go to derasar if possible; do Darshan, Pradakshina, Padikaman calmly. - At home/mandir: - Navkar Mantra (multiple times) - Logassa, Jai Viyaray, or other daily sutras as per tradition.
- Samayik / Dhyan
- Sit minimum 48 minutes (if possible) in Samayik: - Focus on equanimity, watch thoughts, recite Navkar or “Arihant Siddha…” etc.
- Svadhyaya (study)
- Read or listen to Jain granths / pravachans for some time: - Life of Bhagwan Rishabhdev and Varshitap - Stories of tapasvi shravaks.
- Pratikraman (evening)
- Do Devasi pratikraman if you know it; otherwise short: - Khamasaman, Micchami Dukkadam feeling, asking forgiveness for: - anger, ego, deceit, greed - any hinsa done by body, speech, mind.
- Water discipline
- Only boiled water, taken within fixed time (e.g. between sunrise and sunset) as per your niyam/guru’s rule.
- Night
- Go to sleep with kshama bhav, recite Navkar before sleeping.
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C. Daily Vidhi on Eating Days (Between Days)
Pattern is similar, only difference is food:
- Same spiritual routine
- Navkar, Samayik, Svadhyaya, Pratikraman – try to keep same bhav as fasting days.
- Food discipline
- Keep either Ekasana (one sitting) or Beasana (two sittings) as decided. - Food: - Strict Jain, freshly prepared, filtered water - Avoid: onion/garlic, outside food, unnecessary variety, over‑eating - Many avoid root vegetables, sweets, fried items during Varshitap – follow your guru/local maryada.
- Environment
- Avoid gossip, TV/phone time‑pass, arguments. - Try to stay shant, introvert, in svadhyaya.
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5. Parna Vidhi on Akshay Tritiya
On Vaishakh Shukla 3 (Akshay Tritiya):
- Early morning pooja / darshan
- Go to derasar, do snatra, puja or at least simple darshan and Navkar.
- Final Samayik / Kshamapana
- Thank Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, Sadhu for giving strength. - Ask forgiveness from all living beings.
- Parna (breaking the fast)
- Traditionally with sugarcane juice in memory of Bhagwan Rishabhdev’s parna. - Do it slowly, with prayer, not like celebration of taste.
- Bhavna
- “Whatever punya came from this Varshitap, may it become reason for: - Samyak Darshan - Reduction of kashayas - Ahimsa and karuna for all jivas.”
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6. Digambar / Śvetāmbara Notes
- Śvetāmbara:
- Digambar:
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7. Very important practical advice
- This is a big tap, not to be started lightly.
- Please:
You can read a simple Varshitap explanation and vidhi in English on JainKnowledge here: and more details about timing here:
Khub‑khub anumodana for your pavitra sankalp of Varshitap. May this tap bring deep inner shanti and progress towards samyak darshan.
