1) Varshitap starts on which date? In Jain dharm, Varshitap traditionally:

• Starts: Chaitra Shukla Ashtami (8th tithi of bright half of Chaitra)
• Ends / Pārṇā: Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya (Akshaya Tritiya) of the next year

So it is about 13 months 13 days (sometimes more if there is adhik māsa). The English calendar date changes every year, so for a particular year you must see a Jain pañchāng.

You can read a short explanation here

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2) What is the kriyā in Varshitap? (Basic routine)

Exact niyam can vary a little by guru / tradition, but generally:

a) Main fast pattern

• It is a “bēsatnā upvās” / alternate‑day upvās.
• Day 1 – Upvās:

- No food the whole day - Only boiled water (usually fixed time, e.g., sunrise to sunset)

• Day 2 – Bēsan / Ekāsan:

- Take simple Jain food only once (ekāsan) or at most two times, sitting in one place - Before sunset, with proper pachchhakhān (vows)

This 2‑day cycle continues for the full period.

b) Daily spiritual kriyā (both days) Most sādharmik do:

• Samayik regularly
• Pratikraman (at least daily, sometimes more)
• Swādhyāy – reading / listening to Jain scriptures, pravachans
• Jāp / Stotra pāṭh – Navkār Mantra, Logassa, Uvasaggaharam, etc.
• Maintain samyak darshan–gyān–chāritr as much as possible
• Strict ahimsā, satya, brahmacharya, aparigraha, very careful in walking, speaking, using water, etc.

c) Niyam and discipline

Common niyam during Varshitap:

• Only Jain sātvic food on bēsan day (no root vegetables, no green during chaturmās if your sampraday observes it, etc.)
• No food after sunset (chovihār / tivihār as per capacity)
• Avoid rātri‑bhoyan, outside food, and taste‑seeking items
• Reduce social activities, focus on tapas and bhakti
• Try to avoid anger, pride, deceit, greed; practice forgiveness and maitri

Because Varshitap is a very intense and long tapas, it is usually done:

• With permission and guidance of Gurudev / Āchārya / learned Shravak
• After checking health, family responsibility, and mental readiness

More details on preparation and niyam:

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Summary:

• Start tithi: Chaitra Shukla 8
• End tithi (pārṇā): Next year Vaishakh Shukla 3 (Akshaya Tritiya)
• Kriyā: Year‑long alternate‑day upvās with strong focus on samayik, pratikraman, swādhyāy, and strict Jain niyam throughout.