In Jain Dharma, “8 days fast” is usually done in two traditional ways. Choose ONE based on your strength and guidance of your guru/elders.

Option A: Atthai (8 days of Ayambil)

• Eat only once a day for 8 days.
• Food is very plain: typically boiled grains/pulses and permitted vegetables, without taste (no oil/ghee, milk/curd, sugar/jaggery; spices kept minimal or none).
• Boiled, filtered water only during daylight, within your vowed time window.

Option B: 8 days of Upvas

• No solid food each day; many keep only boiled water in daylight (some attempt very strict versions; do not attempt without proper capacity and guidance).
• This is very intense; do only with prior experience and health clearance.

How to do it (simple, traditional steps) 1) Preparation (3–7 days before)

• Reduce spices, sugars, and meal size; fix a daylight water window.
• Learn local parna (breaking fast) rules and timings from your sangh.
• Take medical advice if you have any health condition.

2) Sankalp/Pachchhakkhan (formal vow)

• On day 1 morning, take pachchhakkhan in presence of a sadhu/sadhvi or before a Tirthankar’s image. State the type (Atthai/Upvas), water rules, and parna day.

3) Daily niyam during the 8 days

• Ahimsa and inner purity: guard against anger, pride, deceit, greed; avoid mobile/entertainment and needless travel.
• Sadhana: Navkar mantra jap, Samayik (at least once), Pratikraman (evening), Swadhyay, Prabhu bhakti, Maitri-bhav.
• Bhojan/boiled water only in daylight and exactly as vowed. No eating/drinking after sunset.
• Maintain equanimity; speak less; avoid raag–dwesh.

4) Health and adjustments

• If weakness arises, take anukampa (compassionate adjustment) under guidance: shift to Ayambil/Ekasana rather than abruptly breaking rules.
• Elders, pregnant women, and those with medical issues should avoid long fasts unless cleared by a competent doctor and guided by guru.

5) Parna (breaking the fast) on day 9

• Do within prescribed parna muhurat of your local sangh.
• Begin gently: sips of boiled water, then light, simple items as per maryada—no fried/heavy foods.
• Offer kshamapana (seeking forgiveness) and do bhav-daan.

Notes on traditions

• Shwetambar: Atthai is commonly observed during Paryushan; parna follows sunrise-based sangh timings.
• Digambar: Some undertake 8-day upvas during Dashalakshan/Ashtahnika; parana follows tradition-specific “aparanna” time.
• Dietary details can vary slightly by gaccha/sangh; follow your local maryada.

Helpful, simple references

• 8 days fasting overview:
• Upvas nu Pachchhan (vow details):
• Ayambil (Atthai) sample menu and rules:

Essence Do it for inner purification, not show. Keep it simple, truthful, and non-violent. Right intention, right restraint, and humility are the heart of this 8‑day tapas.