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  • Types of fast
  • author Posted by
    Jain Follower

    Types of fast

    12 months ago 556

    Here is a simple list of Jain fasts (tapa), as traditionally practiced. Names may vary slightly by region.

    Daily/partial fasts (by how/when you eat)

    • Ekasana: one meal in the day, before sunset.
    • Beasana (Biyasan): two meals at fixed times, with a long gap and discipline.
    • Ayambil: one very plain meal (no taste enhancers like oil, ghee, milk/curd, sugar, fruits; minimal or no spices). Rules differ slightly by sangh.

    Full‑day upavāsa types (no solid food)

    • Tivihar Upvas: no food; boiled water only during daylight, none after sunset.
    • Chauvihar Upvas: after sunset, neither food nor water until the next sunrise (many keep the whole day this way).
    • Nirjala Upvas: no food and no water for the entire fast (very strict; do only with proper guidance).

    Multi‑day and named fasts

    • Attham: three consecutive days of total fasting.
    • Atthai (Aththai): eight consecutive days of total fasting.
    • Sol‑bhatt / Solapakhi: sixteen days (observed in some communities).
    • Masakshaman: continuous fasting for about one month.
    • Navpad Oli (Ayambil Oli): nine days of Ayambil, observed twice a year.
    • Varsitap: alternate‑day fasting (often one day upavās, next day ekasana) for about 13 months and 13 days.

    Observance days and special vows

    • Paushadha/Proshadhopavasa: living like a monk/nun for a day (or more), often with upavās on lunar days (Ashtami, Chaturdashi).
    • Upavās during Paryushan/Dashalakshana: many keep Ekasana, Ayambil, Attham, Atthai, etc., according to capacity.

    Final life‑vow (for the spiritually prepared)

    • Sallekhana/Santhara: gradual, voluntary reduction of food and water at the end of life, with equanimity and detachment, under guidance.

    Notes on Shvetāmbara/Digambara differences

    • Water during fasts: Shvetāmbara laity commonly take only boiled water during daylight on fasting days (tivihar); many Digambara followers emphasize nirjala (no water) unless their ācārya instructs otherwise.
    • Ayambil rules: exact permitted grains, pulses, and spice limits can differ slightly; follow your local sangh/ācārya.

    Essential spirit

    • Every fast must be joined with right faith, non‑violence, humility, pratikraman, svādhyāy, and dhyāna. Fasting should never harm health; take pachchakkhān (vow) properly and break the fast (pāranā) at the right time with care.

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