Here is a simple, traditional outline of Varshitap (Varshi Tap) vidhi for about 13 months (Śvetāmbara style). Exact rules can vary by saṅgh and guru, so always follow your own guru’s maryādā.

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1. Duration & Basic Pattern

• Duration:

From Chaitra Shukla 8 of one year to Vaishakh Shukla 3 (Akshay Tritiya) of the next year – approx. 13 lunar months + 13 days.

• Main niyam:

Alternate‐day fasting for the whole period: - Day 1 – Upvās (no food; water as per pachchakkhān) - Day 2 – Beshnu / Ekāsan (simple food, usually 1 meal) - Day 3 – Upvās - Day 4 – Beshnu/Ekāsan - … and so on, till Akshay Tritiya (Parnā day).

Some keep two simple meals (beshna) on eating days; some keep ekāsan – follow what your guru specifies.

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2. Before Starting (Saṅkalpa & Pachchakkhān)

1. Take saṅkalpa in front of Jinvāṇī or a Guru:

- “I will observe Varshitap from today (Chaitra Shukla 8) till next year Akshay Tritiya.”

1. Fix clear niyam:

- Upvās days: - Water rule (boiled only / time limit / no water after sunset, etc.). - Eating days: - Ekāsan or Beshan? - Ayambil style or normal Jain sāttvik food? - No green at night, no root vegetables, etc. (according to your sangh).

1. Ask forgiveness from family, arrange help so that dharma, not tension, remains the focus.

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3. Daily Vidhi (Upvās Day)

Typical upvās day includes:

• Snātra / Pujan (if possible) in the morning.
• Navkār Mantra, Logassa, Jina-stuti.
• Samayik / Pratikraman (at least once daily).
• Svādhyāy – read/listen to Jain scriptures or pravachan.
• Dhyan / Kāyotsarga – some fixed time of quiet meditation.
• Boiled water only, within your time rule (or full nirjal if taken as such).
• Maintain ahimsā, satya, brahmacharya, aparigraha in thoughts, speech, and actions.
• Avoid TV, mobile entertainment, gossip; keep rāga–dveṣa (likes–dislikes) under control.

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4. Daily Vidhi (Eating Day)

• Morning: same pujan, samayik, svādhyāy as above.
• Meal rule (as per your vow):

- Ekāsan – one sitting, simple sāttvik Jain food. - Or two beshan – two simple meals. - Many keep food without onion, garlic, root vegetables, heavy masala; some keep Ayambil type (no oil, ghee, sugar, masala).

• Eat with:

- Bhav of tapasya, not enjoyment. - No waste of food, no anger or demand.

• Keep tivihār/chauvihār in the evening as per your niyam (no food / no water after a fixed time).

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5. Special Points During the 13 Months

• If due to serious illness or real inability you must break pattern:

- Take guidance from guru / senior shravak. - Do ālochana & prāyaścitta (confession & repentance). - Either restart, continue with adjusted niyam, or complete with a lighter resolution – never torture the body against dharma.

• Focus more on internal tap:

- Kṣamā (forgiveness), mārdava (humility), ārjava (straightforwardness), śaucha (inner purity), satya, saṃyam.

• Keep away from anger, gossip, criticism, jealousy – these destroy the punya of tap.

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6. Completion – Parnā on Akshay Tritiya

On Vaishakh Shukla 3 (Akshay Tritiya):

1. Early morning:

- Snātra / Pujan of Bhagwān Ṛṣabhdev. - Navkār, Logassa, stavans, Varshitap–related paath if available in your sangh.

1. Parṇā vidhi:

- Traditionally, sugarcane juice (ikshu ras) or similarly simple, śuddha dravya is given first. - Then very light simple food, as guided.

1. Do kṣamā-yāchanā:

- Ask forgiveness from all (family, guru, sangh) for any faults during the year.

1. Offer dāna:

- Help sādhus–sādhvīs, mandir, poor, animals, etc., as per capacity.

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7. Śvetāmbara / Digambara Note

• Śvetāmbara:

Commonly follow the 13 months + 13 days alternate-day fast with parṇā on Akshay Tritiya, in direct remembrance of Bhagwān Ṛṣabhdev’s one‑year fast.

• Digambara:

Some traditions keep a shorter Varshi Tap type (about 6 months) or a different pattern, though the inner purpose is the same – intense self-control and karma-kṣaya. Always follow your own ācārya’s maryādā.

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8. Health & Guidance

• Varshitap is a very high-level tapa.

It must be done: - With permission/guidance of sadhu–sādhvī / ācārya / learned elder. - With regular health checks if needed. - Never hiding weakness; Jain Dharma never supports self‑harm.

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You can read a short, clear explanation of Varshitap here and more background on Varsi Tap here