Vrat and Fasting GuideWeekly vrats
The weekday vrats of Hindu tradition: Monday for Shiva, Tuesday for Hanuman, Wednesday for Ganesha, Thursday for Vishnu, Friday for the goddess and Saturday for Shani, with the usual practice.
Many families keep a weekly vrat. The deity of the day differs by region and family; the table gives the most common choices.
| Day | Deity | Common practice |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Surya | One meal without salt in some families; offering water to the sun |
| Monday | Shiva | Fast until evening, bilva leaves and water on the lingam; 16 Mondays (Solah Somvar) is a popular vow |
| Tuesday | Hanuman, Mangala | One meal, reading the Hanuman Chalisa |
| Wednesday | Ganesha, Vishnu in some regions | Green food, Ganesha puja |
| Thursday | Vishnu, Brihaspati, Sai Baba | Yellow clothes and food, banana worship in some places |
| Friday | Lakshmi, Durga, Santoshi Mata | Sweets, no sour food in the Santoshi Mata vrat |
| Saturday | Shani, Hanuman | Oil lamp, feeding the poor |
For the gods see our weekday guide.
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This page describes common practice. Families differ, and the tradition itself says that illness and age are good reasons to reduce a fast. It is not medical advice: please talk to a doctor if you have a health condition. Times for fasts depend on the panchang for your city.