Entire schedule for varshitap
I’ll give you the standard, traditional pattern used for Varshitap (Varsi-tap). If you want, you can then map it onto a specific year using a Jain Panchang.
1. Overall period
- Start: Chaitra Shukla Ashtami (8th day of bright fortnight of Chaitra)
- End / Pārṇā: Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya next year (Akshaya Tritiya)
- Duration is about 13 lunar months + 13 days, i.e. roughly one year. ( jainknowledge.com)
You can read a simple explanation here:
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2. Basic daily schedule (Śvetāmbara style – most common)
For almost the entire year, the pattern is alternate‑day fasting:
- Day 1: Full fast (Upvās / Upavāsa)
- Day 2: Eating day
- Day 3: Again full fast
- Day 4: Eating day
- …and so on, alternating like this, till Akshaya Tritiya. ( jainknowledge.com)
This is why Varshitap is also called alternate‑day fasting for one year.
More vidhi in English is explained here:
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3. Special adjustments within the year
Exact day‑by‑day tithi schedule is normally given by your guru / local sangh based on the Jain lunar calendar, but traditionally:
- If important tithis fall on an “eating” day
- Example: Chaudas (14th), Amas (new moon), Ashtami (8th), Poonam (full moon) etc. - Your guru may tell you to keep two consecutive Upvās or other special fast on those days.
- If travel or health issues arise
- Some traditions allow “compensating” a missed fast later (discuss strictly with your guru). - Never change the schedule on your own; always get āgñā (permission).
- Daily niyam (rules) along with fasting
- More pratikraman, Jap, Paath, Samayik, Swadhyaya, meditation. - Strong control over krodh, mān, māyā, lobh (anger, pride, deceit, greed). - Extra care in ahimsa in walking, eating, speaking, and work. ( jainknowledge.com)
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4. Last day and Pārṇā schedule
On Akshaya Tritiya (Vaishakh Shukla 3):
- Final fast day:
- You usually keep Upvās on the day before Pārṇā (as guided).
- Pārṇā (breaking the year‑long alternate fast):
- Done on Akshaya Tritiya itself. - Traditionally with sugarcane juice, in remembrance of Bhagwan Rishabhdev’s first food after his year‑long fast. ( jainknowledge.com)
- After Pārṇā:
- Temple darshan, Pujan / Kalyanak puja, donation, and seeking forgiveness (kshamā-yāchanā).
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5. Short summary “entire schedule” in simple form
- Start on Chaitra Shukla 8 (as fixed each year by Panchang).
- From that day till next year’s Vaishakh Shukla 3 (Akshaya Tritiya):
- On Akshaya Tritiya: Perform Pārṇā (usually sugarcane juice) with proper rituals.
Because the lunar tithis shift every Gregorian year, for an exact calendar (full table of dates) you must take this pattern to your local Jain Panchang or temple; they will give you a printed or digital Varshitap chart for that particular year.