From fasting to sustainability, timeless Jain practices are shaping a new-age spiritual and professional ethos. Meet the man who’s making it mainstream—without leaving the boardroom.
In an era of quick fixes, digital detoxes, and weekend retreats, an ancient spiritual tradition is quietly making a comeback—not just in temples, but in boardrooms, classrooms, and households. Jainism’s age-old fasting discipline, known as Varshitap, is finding resonance with a new generation seeking balance, mental clarity, and ethical living.
At the heart of this cultural revival stands Nikhil Pattani, a Mumbai-based real estate entrepreneur and sustainability advocate, who has stunned both spiritual and corporate circles by completing the gruelling 400-day Varshitap fast—three times.
And he didn’t retreat to an ashram or take a sabbatical. Instead, he led meetings, raised a family, travelled across the country for business, and cooked his own satvik meals—without shortcuts, without staff, and without publicity.
What is Varshitap?
One of Jainism’s most intense spiritual disciplines, Varshitap involves fasting every alternate day for over 13 months, often extending up to 400 days. Followers consume only boiled water during fast days and eat a single meal on non-fast days—free from spices, salt, and any indulgence.
This ancient practice, which is believed to burn karmic bondage and sharpen spiritual focus, is now being reinterpreted as a model for discipline, mindfulness, and self-leadership—values that are in high demand in modern India.
A Man Who Embodied the Balance
Nikhil Pattani’s story is not just a tale of personal transformation—it’s a mirror to a larger shift in how spiritual practices are being integrated into daily life. A real estate expert with over 28 years of experience across India and the UAE, Pattani is the founder of Destiniva Realty and Scholars’ Takshashila, India’s first real estate academy.
From receiving the National Icon Award, the APJ Abdul Kalam Samman, to being conferred an Honorary Master of Letters (MLitt) in Real Estate & Property Management, Pattani is also a world record holder for writing a 1 lakh-word article on Indian real estate.
But behind these accolades lies a deeper commitment: practicing spiritual discipline in the midst of material success.
During his third Varshitap (2024–25), Pattani didn’t just fast—he undertook multiple Jain pilgrimages including Palitana, Girnar Yatra (climbing 4,200 steps), and visited eight major Parshwanath tirths. He also observed 18 Oli of Ayambil, a practice that involves consuming extremely minimal food once a day for nine days—three times a year.
The Modern Relevance of Jain Practices
Jainism’s appeal is growing among urban Indians, especially those seeking a deeper connection with sustainability, mindfulness, and non-violence (ahimsa). From vegan diets to eco-conscious living, Jain principles are aligning with global trends.
“Varshitap and Ayambil are not just religious fasts. They are tools for mastering the mind, breaking unhealthy patterns, and realigning with one’s values,” says Pattani. “You don’t need to escape the world to find peace. You can find it right where you are.”
Experts agree. With rising awareness around mental health, stress management, and ethical living, ancient practices like Varshitap are being rediscovered as spiritual technologies that offer inner stillness in an overstimulated world.
A Cultural Shift, Not Just a Spiritual One
Pattani’s story highlights a larger cultural trend where faith is no longer about isolation—it’s about integration. Young professionals, entrepreneurs, and even students are embracing Jain fasting, meditation, and ethical consumption—not as obligations, but as lifestyle choices.
As India navigates its place in a fast-changing world, the wisdom of its spiritual roots is finding a modern voice. And leaders like Nikhil Pattani are showing how ancient traditions can thrive in skyscrapers just as they do in temples.
With the Varshitap Parna Mahotsav on April 30, 2025, Pattani’s story stands as a powerful reminder: the most enduring paths are the ones that walk between faith and responsibility, family and fire, silence and strength.
