Varshitap (also called Varshi‑tap / Varsi‑tap) is one of the highest and most respected tapas (austerities) in Jain Dharma. Below is a simple, step‑by‑step explanation of the kriyā (how it is done) and its inner meaning.

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1. Basic idea of Varshitap

• “Varshi” = year, “tap” = austerity.
• It is usually done for about one year (around 13 lunar months + 13 days).
• Main pattern: alternate‑day fasting (upvās) with very simple food on the other days.
• Aim: to burn karmas (nirjarā), stop new karmas (saṁvar), and purify the soul, not to torture the body.

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2. Time period (when it is usually done)

In many Śvetāmbara traditions:

• Start: Chaitra Shukla Ashtami (8th day of bright half of Chaitra).
• End / Pārṇā: Vaishākh Shukla Tritiyā (Akṣay Tritiyā) – the day Bhagwān Ṛṣabhdev broke His long fast with ikṣu‑rasa (sugarcane juice).

Exact dates are fixed every year according to the Jain lunar calendar and by your guru / sangh.

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3. How the “alternate‑day” pattern works

Names and small details differ by sangh, but the basic idea is:

1. Upvās day (full fast)

- No food for the whole day. - In many maryādās: only boiled water (or sometimes even no water) within fixed time limits. - Day is spent in sāmāyik, svādhyāy (scripture study), pratikramaṇ, dhyān (meditation).

1. Eating day (beshan / biyāsan / ekāsan as per vow)

- Very simple, satvik Jain food, only in daylight and usually once (ekāsan) or twice (beshan) as per your pachchakkhan. - No indulgence in taste: many people avoid fried, spicy, sweets, etc., and keep it very basic. - same focus on dharma, humility, and restraint – it is not a “free” day.

1. This cycle continues for the whole period:

- Day 1 – full upvās - Day 2 – simple food (ekāsan / beshan) - Day 3 – upvās - Day 4 – simple food - … and so on, for about a year, adjusting slightly when tithis require it.

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4. Daily routine during Varshitap (ideal)

On both types of days (fasting and eating), the inner routine should be similar:

• Morning

- Wake up early, with feeling of gratitude and vairāgya. - Pachchakkhan (resolve) for that day’s tap (upvās or ekāsan/beshan). - Sāmāyik (48‑minute equality meditation), chanting of Navkār Mantra, stavans.

• Daytime

- Svādhyāy: reading / listening to Jain scriptures or pravachans. - Vaiyāvratya: service to sādhus, sadhvīs, elderly, sick, or any selfless help. - Avoid: gossip, anger, pride, greed, business tensions, entertainment, social media, etc. - Maintain maun (silence) for some time if possible.

• Evening

- Pratikramaṇ: review of the day, accept and confess faults, ask for forgiveness. - Padilekhan: inner checking – “Did I keep my vow properly? Where did passions arise?” - Go to sleep with shuddha bhāva, remembering the soul, not the body’s troubles.

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5. Rules and discipline (maryādā)

Exact maryādā should always be taken from your Āchārya / guru / pious Jain elder. Common points:

1. Food rules

- Strict Jain vegetarian (no root vegetables if that is your usual niyam). - No eating after sunset. - On eating days: only as per pachchakkhan – usually ekāsan (one sitting) or limited beshan. - No snacking or “just a little taste” outside the set meal.

1. Water rules

- Many follow boiled, cooled water only, within fixed hours. - Some traditions do Nirjal Upvās (no water) on certain special days if health allows.

1. Mind and speech

- No harsh words, lies, or unnecessary talk. - Avoid business decisions driven by greed and anger during this tap if possible. - Focus on forgiveness, humility, and compassion.

1. End of the vow (Pārṇā)

- Usually done on Akṣay Tritiyā, in memory of Bhagwān Ṛṣabhdev. - Pārṇā is done simply and with great bhāva, usually with ikṣu‑rasa (sugarcane juice) or other simple, pure item as per tradition. - Before pārṇā: special pooja, stavans, prarthanā, and blessings from sādhus/sadhvīs/elders.

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6. Śvetāmbara and Digambar notes

• Śvetāmbara tradition

- More commonly seen as 13 months + 13 days alternate‑day fasting, starting Chaitra Shukla Ashtami and ending on Akṣay Tritiyā. - Many lay followers (śrāvak/śrāvikā) perform it under guidance of monks / nuns.

• Digambar tradition

- In some Digambar lineages, a shorter Varshi‑tap pattern (around 6 months) is also described. - The essence remains the same: strong tapas, control over taste, and steady dharmic life for a long stretch of time.

Always follow the version your own sampradāy and your guru give you.

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7. Inner spiritual meaning (Bhāva)

Varshitap is not about “showing greatness” or “collecting respect.” Its real kriyā is inside:

• Tyāg of taste and comfort

You learn that happiness doesn’t come from tongue and stomach, but from peace of soul.

• Krodh, Mān, Māyā, Lobha become weak

Long tapas slowly softens anger, ego, deceit, and greed.

• Practice of samata (equanimity)

On both difficult fasting days and easier eating days, you try to remain same‑minded – not over‑excited when eating, not depressed when hungry.

• Nirjarā of karmas

With each day of disciplined tapa plus right faith and right conduct, heavy karmas get shed.

• Preparation for higher path

Such tapas prepares the soul for deeper dhyān and for following the Moksha‑marg more seriously.

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8. Who should not do Varshitap lightly

• People with serious illnesses, very old age, pregnancy, or very weak body.
• Children or very young without maturity.
• Anyone doing it only for show (social pressure, prestige, or competition).

In Jain Dharma, Tap without right bhāva and without capacity is not praised. Always:

• Take clear pachchakkhan from a Jain monk / nun / learned elder.
• Also, in today’s time, get a basic health check from a competent doctor.
• If health collapses, do not feel guilty – you can reduce or stop the vow respectfully as per guru’s instruction. Intention matters more than stubbornness.

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9. In summary

Varshitap kriyā means:

• About one year of alternate‑day fasting,
• With simple ekāsan/beshan on eating days,
• Done with strong ahimsā, samyag‑darshan, svādhyāy, dhyān, pratikramaṇ,
• Ending in a devotional pārṇā on Akṣay Tritiyā, remembering Bhagwān Ṛṣabhdev.

Its greatness lies not in how many days you fast, but in how purely and humbly you live each day of the vow.

You can read more in simple language here