Akshay Nidhi Tap (also called Akshaya Nidhi Tap/vrat) — simple, authentic Jain understanding

What it is

• A special tapa observed mainly in the Shvetambar tradition for kshay-karmaksaya (shedding karmas) and stable punya. It is practised in two accepted ways:

1) 15‑day “Akshay Nidhi Tap” before Paryushan: daily ekāsan, daily samayik/paath, and completion with upavās on Samvatsari. 2) “Akshay Nidhi Vrat” (also known as Akshay‑phal Dashami Vrat): observed on three Dashami tithis each year and continued for five years.

How it is done (traditional outline)

A. 15‑day Akshay Nidhi Tap (pre‑Paryushan; Shvetambar practice)

• Sankalp on the first day; keep 15 days of ekāsan.
• Water discipline: generally no water after evening aarti (commonly after 7 pm).
• Daily worship: snātra, puja of Jindev, Navkar/Logassa japa; offer akshat (rice) with small sukhadi/dry items to a kalash; many place 21 “feriyā” around the kalash.
• Daily sāmāyik/pratikraman (about 1–2 hours).
• Poornāhuti: Samvatsari day with upavās and full pratikraman/forgiveness.

B. Akshay Nidhi Vrat (Akshay‑phal Dashami Vrat)

• Tithis: Shrāvan Shukla Dashami, Bhādrapad Krishna Dashami, Bhādrapad Shukla Dashami.
• Duration: observe these three Dashamis every year for five years.
• Anushthān: keep proshadh/upavās on each Dashami; perform abhishek and puja of Bhagwan Ādināth; japa of “Om Hrīṁ Namo Rishabhāya” (traditionally 1008 times); night‑long dharma‑dhyan/jāgran as per capacity.
• Tithi adjustments: if Dashami is reduced, observe on Navami; if increased, observe on the day with full Dashami. Do not add extra days beyond the three per year.

Spiritual intent

• To strengthen samyaktva, curb rāga‑dveṣa, and accumulate “akṣaya” (steadfast) punya through niyamita tapa, vrata, and āyambil/ekāsan discipline, always with ahimsa and internal purity at the center.

Notes on traditions

• Shvetambar: the 15‑day pre‑Paryushan Akshay Nidhi Tap and the Dashami‑based Akshay Nidhi Vrat are commonly taught and practised in many sanghs.
• Digambar: observances around Dashami with proshadh/upavās and special anushthāns exist; however, the specific name “Akshay Nidhi” and the 15‑day pre‑Paryushan format are less common and vary by āchārya‑paramparā. Follow guidance of your local ācārya/pravartini.

Reminder

• Always do any tapa/vrat with proper pachchakhan (saṅkalpa), maryādā, and under guidance of knowledgeable guru or temple pujārī. The essence is inner shuddhi, not mere counting of days or items.

If you wish to read more on related Jain tapas and auspicious days (e.g., Akshaya Tritiya and completion of great fasts at Shatrunjaya), you can refer here: