Types of fast

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.