Answer

Chauvihar is the stricter observance: after sunset, there is no food and no water until sunrise. Tivihar is lighter: after sunset, no food is taken, but water is allowed until sunrise. ( jainliterature.weebly.com)

Explanation

A simple way to understand it is:

• Chauvihar = stop all food and liquids after sunset. ( jainliterature.weebly.com)
• Tivihar = stop food, but water is still allowed after sunset. ( jainliterature.weebly.com)

So, if a person is following:

• Chauvihar for the day: the last intake of the day must finish before sunset, and then nothing is taken until sunrise next day. ( jainliterature.weebly.com)
• Tivihar for the day: the last meal must also finish before sunset, but after sunset the person may still drink water only until sunrise next day. ( jainliterature.weebly.com)

Daily routine examples

1) Chauvihar routine example

• 7:30 AM — breakfast
• 12:30 PM — lunch
• 5:45 PM — early dinner, finished before sunset
• After sunset — no food, no water
• Next morning after sunrise — first food or water

This is a typical Chauvihar-style daily routine. The key point is that all eating and drinking finish before sunset. ( jainliterature.weebly.com)

2) Tivihar routine example

• 7:30 AM — breakfast
• 1:00 PM — lunch
• 5:45 PM — dinner, finished before sunset
• After sunset — no food, but water allowed
• Next morning after sunrise — food and normal intake resume

This is a typical Tivihar-style daily routine. ( jainliterature.weebly.com)

3) If you want a very simple food pattern

• One meal before sunset: allowed in both, if it is finished before sunset
• Two meals before sunset: allowed in both
• Three meals before sunset: allowed in both, as long as everything ends before sunset
• After sunset:

- Chauvihar = nothing at all - Tivihar = water only ( jainliterature.weebly.com)

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, this practice helps with ahimsa, discipline, and self-control. Chauvihar is more strict, while Tivihar is somewhat lighter, but both train the soul to reduce carelessness and attachment. ( jainknowledge.com)

Takeaway

• Choose Chauvihar if you want the stricter observance: no food, no water after sunset. ( jainliterature.weebly.com)
• Choose Tivihar if you are observing: no food after sunset, but water is allowed. ( jainliterature.weebly.com)
• In both, the practical rule is: finish eating before sunset. ( jainliterature.weebly.com)

If you want, I can also make a full Jain daily timetable for:

1. normal day,
2. ekasana day, or
3. upvas day.