Answer

Siddhitap is a Jain tapasya done over a fixed sequence of fasting and eating days. Traditionally, it is performed as a series of increasing fasts, usually with Ayambil on eating days, and it is completed with deep devotion, repentance, mantra, and spiritual discipline.

The common Siddhitap pattern is:

• 1 Upvas, then 1 Ayambil
• 2 Upvas, then 1 Ayambil
• 3 Upvas, then 1 Ayambil
• Continue in this way up to 8 Upvas, each followed by 1 Ayambil

So the sequence is:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Upvas, with Ayambil after each set.

Explanation

In simple form:

• Day 1: Upvas
• Day 2: Ayambil
• Day 3–4: 2 Upvas
• Next day: Ayambil
• Then 3 Upvas
• Then Ayambil
• This continues up to 8 Upvas

In total, Siddhitap includes:

• 36 Upvas because 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8 = 36
• 8 Ayambil days
• 44 days in total

During Siddhitap, the person usually observes:

• Strict fasting on Upvas days
• Ayambil on eating days
• Samayik, Pratikraman, Swadhyay, chanting, and meditation
• Control of speech, anger, greed, ego, and attachment
• Devotion toward Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, and Sadhu Bhagwant

Spiritual Understanding

Siddhitap is not only about physical fasting. Its deeper purpose is:

• To reduce attachment to taste and body comfort
• To purify karma through tapasya
• To strengthen self-control
• To develop humility, forgiveness, and inner discipline
• To move the soul closer toward the qualities of the Siddha Bhagwan

The word “Siddhi” points toward spiritual accomplishment, and “tap” means austerity. So Siddhitap is a sacred austerity performed with the aim of spiritual purification.

Takeaway

Siddhitap is traditionally done as 1 to 8 increasing Upvas cycles, each followed by Ayambil, making 36 Upvas and 8 Ayambil in total. It should be done with proper guidance from a Jain guru, with attention to health, discipline, humility, and spiritual purity.