Answer

In Jain Dharma, Athai tap means observing fasting for 8 days with devotion, discipline, and purity of mind.

During periods, many Jain families and traditions advise women not to perform certain religious rituals, such as:

• Going to the derasar
• Doing puja
• Touching sacred items
• Participating in some formal religious activities

However, fasting itself is not the same as temple ritual or puja. Whether one should continue or begin Athai during periods depends on:

• Your health and physical strength
• Your family tradition
• Your Jain sect or guru’s guidance
• The rules followed in your community

Explanation

If periods begin during Athai, many people continue the fast if their body allows, but they avoid temple-related activities or touching religious items according to their tradition.

If the body feels weak, dizzy, painful, or unhealthy, Jain Dharma does not encourage harming the body out of force. Tap should be done with samata, awareness, and inner purity—not ego or pressure.

Spiritual Understanding

The true purpose of Athai is:

• Reducing attachment to the body
• Controlling desires
• Practicing self-discipline
• Increasing inner purity
• Doing repentance, meditation, and bhavna

During periods, even if one avoids formal rituals, one may still do inner spiritual practices such as:

• Navkar Mantra mentally
• Samayik if permitted in your tradition
• Pratikraman mentally or separately as guided
• Reading or listening to Jain teachings
• Maintaining calmness and ahimsa in thoughts

Takeaway

Yes, Athai may be continued during periods if health permits, but religious activities connected with temple, puja, or sacred objects should follow your family/community tradition. For a definite rule, it is best to ask your guru, sadhviji, or local Jain scholar, because practices differ among Jain traditions.