Varshitap is a very big tap. It must always be done only:

• with proper sankalp (vow),
• under guidance of a Guru / Pravachansaar / learned Jain,
• and after checking your health with a good doctor.

Below is the general vidhi followed for 13 months (13 months 13 days). Local traditions (Shwetambar / Digambar, different gachh, sampraday) may have small differences – always follow the niyam given by your own Guru.

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1. Basic definition & duration

• Varshitap = one day full upvās (fast) + next day bhojan

(generally once in a day, simple Jain food)

• This alternate pattern continues for about 13 months 13 days (till Akshay Tritiya / Varshitap parna day).
• On upvās day – only उष्ण / उकाला पानी (boiled water) in limited time.
• On bhojan day – before sunset, very simple, satvik, Jain food, as per your niyam.

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2. Before starting (Sankalp Vidhi)

1. Take permission & āshirvād of:

- Guru / Sadhu-Sadhvi ji, or - if not available, a senior knowledgeable shravak-shravika.

1. Decide your personal niyam:

- Type of food on bhojan day (no roots, no green leafy, no mithai, etc. – as much as you can). - Water niyam (only boiled, fixed time, no water after sunset). - Daily pratikraman, samayik, or at least Navkar mantra counting.

1. Do Panch Paramesthi vandan, take Varshitap sankalp in front of Dev–Guru–Dharma:

- “I will, as per my shakti, do Varshitap (one day upvās, next day bhojan) till Varshitap parna date, without deceit.”

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3. Upvās day – daily vidhi (fasting day)

Typical upvās day:

1. Morning

- Snan / shuddhi. - Darshan of Dev–Guru (or picture at home). - Navkar mantra, Logassa, or your regular sutras. - Do Samayik if possible.

1. Whole day

- No food at all. - Only boiled water, usually allowed in fixed time, e.g. sunrise to sunset, or as per niyam. - Spend time in: - Path (scripture reading), - Swadhyaya (study), - Bhajan, Dhyan. - Avoid gossip, anger, mobile, TV, etc. as much as possible – keep maun / shanti.

1. Evening

- Do Pratikraman (at least alochana–pratikraman in short form). - Kayotsarg / meditation. - Take pachchakhān (pachkhan) for: - No food till next morning. - No water after decided time (normally after sunset).

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4. Bhojan day – daily vidhi (eating day)

Next day (after upvās) is bhojan day:

1. Morning

- Same as above: snan, dev-darshan, Navkar, samayik if possible.

1. Bhojan niyam

- Most people keep: - Ekasana (eat only once) or sometimes Beshna (two simple meals) – follow your Guru’s niyam. - Always before sunset. - Very simple Jain food, e.g.: - No onion–garlic, - Avoid roots / leafy vegetables / heavy items as per your vow, - No outside food, no tinned, no refrigerated, etc., as per niyam. - Eat with bhav of tapas, not enjoyment: - Small quantity, - Silence or dharm-discussion only.

1. Water

- Only boiled water in fixed timings. - No water after sunset (Chauvihar) as per your sankalp.

1. Evening

- Again, pratikraman and pachchakhān (for next day’s upvās).

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5. Special days during Varshitap

• Chaudash / Amas / Ashtami etc.:

Many follow a little stronger tap on such tithis – e.g.: - Upvās instead of bhojan, or - Ekasana on both adjoining days. - Follow whatever your Guru / local maryada says.

• Paryushan / Das Lakshan if they come in between:

- Varshitap continues, but you may add extra swadhyaya, pratikraman, prabhu-bhakti.

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6. Parna (ending of Varshitap)

Varshitap traditionally ends on Varshitap Parna day (usually Akshay Tritiya):

1. On last upvās day:

- Keep full upvās with very good bhav, prarthana, alochana.

1. Next day Parna Vidhi:

- Take Dev–Guru darshan. - Do prarthana and kshama-yachna for any faults in tap. - Parna is done with very simple thing: - Traditionally ganna ras (sugarcane juice) in remembrance of Bhagwan Rishabhdev, or as per your sampraday’s niyam. - Only after proper pachchakhān from Guru / Pandit / elder shravak.

Do not convert parna into a show or party. Keep it vinay, nimit-bhav, and deep krtagyata (gratitude).

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7. Important cautions

• Varshitap is a maha‑tap – not for everyone.
• People who should be extra careful or avoid without strong medical advice:

- Children, teenagers still growing, - Pregnant / lactating women, - People with diabetes, heart, kidney, or serious health problems.

• If during Varshitap:

- You feel very weak, dizzy, or ill – immediately inform Guru / doctor; dharma never asks you to destroy the body.

• Remember:

Bhav-tap (inner purity, ahimsa, control of anger/greed/pride) is more important than only body‑tap.

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This is a general, simple outline of the 13‑month Varshitap vidhi. For you personally, always take clear, detailed instructions from your own Guru / local Jain upadhyay and strictly follow those niyams throughout the tap.