Vrat and Fasting GuideWhat is a vrat?
What a vrat is: a vow, usually with a fast, kept on a weekday, a lunar day or a festival; the main kinds of fast, the reasons people give and how the fast is broken.
A vrat is a vow or a religious observance, which for most people means a fast kept for a god, on a day of the week, a day of the lunar fortnight (tithi) or a festival. The Sanskrit word means a vow or a rule of life. Fasting is only one part: many vrats also include a puja, the reading or hearing of a story (katha), staying awake at night, giving charity or restraining speech and temper.
Why people keep vrats
The reasons given are devotion, thanksgiving, a wish for the well-being of the family, self-discipline and, for some, health benefits of a lighter diet. Whatever the reason, the tradition says the observance should be done with a calm mind and without harming one's health.
Common vrats
- Weekly vrats: Monday for Shiva, Tuesday for Hanuman, Thursday for Vishnu or Brihaspati, Friday for the goddesses, Saturday for Shani. See the weekly vrats.
- Lunar-day vrats: Ekadashi, Pradosh and Sankashti Chaturthi, Purnima and Amavasya.
- Festival fasts: Navratri, Maha Shivaratri, Janmashtami, Karwa Chauth and others.
Read next
Questions people ask
Is fasting compulsory in Hinduism?
No. A vrat is a voluntary vow. Families and individuals choose which ones to keep.
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.