🕉 TithiSeva

Vrat & Fasting Guide

Sacred fasts, their purpose, and practice

Vratas are sacred vows combining fasting (upavasa) with worship. The purpose is to purify the mind, please a deity, and accumulate spiritual merit (punya). The degree of fasting varies — from Nirjala (no water) to Phalahar (fruit only) to a single meal. Always check with your health before strict fasting.
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Ekadashi
एकादशी · Twice monthly (both Paksha)
Vishnu

One of the holiest tithis. Observe Nirjala (waterless) or Phalahar fast. Read Vishnu Sahasranama for liberation. Avoid grains entirely. Break fast on Dwadashi with Pancharatna Dal.

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Pradosh Vrat
प्रदोष व्रत · Twice monthly (Trayodashi)
Shiva

Shiva puja at dusk (sandhyakaal, 1.5h before sunset). Extremely potent for removing sins. Offer bilva leaves, milk, bel patra. Avoid food until after puja.

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Purnima Vrat
पूर्णिमा व्रत · Monthly (full moon)
Satyanarayan

Satyanarayan Puja on full moon. Read Satyanarayan Katha and offer panchamrit. Grants prosperity, family harmony. Donate food and clothes to the needy.

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Amavasya
अमावस्या · Monthly (new moon)
Pitrs (Ancestors)

Offer tarpan (water + sesame seeds) to ancestors at a river. Essential for honoring pitrs. Light diya for departed souls. Read Garuda Purana if possible.

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Somvar Vrat
सोमवार व्रत · Every Monday
Shiva

Fast for Shiva — eat only one meal at sunset. Offer milk, bilva, and white flowers. Grants marital happiness, health, and spiritual merit. Somvar Vrat in Shravan is especially powerful.

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Mangalvar Vrat
मंगलवार व्रत · Every Tuesday
Hanuman

Read Hanuman Chalisa and offer sindoor, besan ke laddu. Fast until sunset. Removes obstacles and negative forces. Wear red clothes.

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Guruvar Vrat
गुरुवार व्रत · Every Thursday
Vishnu-Lakshmi

Read Vishnu Sahasranama or Brihaspati Vrat Katha. Wear yellow, offer turmeric and chana dal. Grants wealth, knowledge, and good fortune.

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Shukravar Vrat
शुक्रवार व्रत · Every Friday
Lakshmi

Lakshmi puja with lotus flowers and white sweets. Read Lakshmi Aarti. Grants material prosperity, beauty, and harmonious relationships.

Shanivar Vrat
शनिवार व्रत · Every Saturday
Shani

Offer mustard oil lamp, black sesame (til), and blue flowers to Shani. Read Shani Chalisa. Reduces effects of Shani dosha and Sade Sati. Feed crows.

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Durgashtami
दुर्गाष्टमी · Monthly (Ashtami)
Durga

Worship Durga with red flowers and kumkum. Grants protection from evil, removal of fear, and strength. Especially important during all 9 days of Navratri.

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Vinayaka Chaturthi
विनायक चतुर्थी · Monthly (Chaturthi)
Ganesha

Fast until moonrise, worship Ganesha with modak and durva grass. Removes obstacles and grants wisdom. Avoid moon viewing on this tithi.

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Sankashti Chaturthi
संकष्टी चतुर्थी · Monthly (Krishna Chaturthi)
Ganesha

Krishna paksha Chaturthi — especially powerful. Fast until moon rises, offer modak. Ganesha grants relief from troubles and bestows success in difficulties.

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Skanda Shashthi
स्कंद षष्ठी · Monthly (Shashthi)
Kartikeya

Worship Kartikeya (Murugan/Subramanya) for victory, courage, and protection of children. Fast if possible and offer red flowers and fruits.

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Maha Shivratri
महाशिवरात्रि · Annual (Phalguna Krishna 14th)
Shiva

The greatest night of Shiva. All-night vigil with 4 prahar pujas. Grants liberation (moksha). Fast strictly; offer bilva, dhatura, bel patra each watch of the night.