Hinduism is one of the oldest religions practiced across the globe and is known for its different philosophies and practices. However, despite the diversity of philosophies and customs, some practices are followed by all Hindus unanimously. Observing vrat and upvas on specific days and occasions is one such practice that is common across all sects of Hinduism.
To observe a vrat, the followers of Hinduism keep a fast and avoid certain foods for a specific period. Reading religious and spiritual books in vrat is also to enhance their spirituality and stay focused. In most cases, the vrat commences with the sunrise and ends when the sun sets. However, sometimes the upvas may last for a couple of days or even more.
The primary objective of observing a vrat or an upvas is the seek the blessings of the gods. By sacrificing food for a certain period, devotees express their faith and dedication to the god for whom the fast is being observed. While there are countless different vrats and upvas for Hindus to observe, given below are the brief details of the ten fasts that are considered most significant.
Considered to be one of the most significant vrats in Hinduism, this fast is observed to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu. Ekadashi means the 11th day in the Sanskrit language. Accordingly, the fast is observed on the 11th day of each fortnight of every lunar month of the Hindu calendar.
People observing the Ekadashi fast can eat only one meal that is devoid of salt throughout the day. Consuming cereals, alcohol, and non-vegetarian foods on this day is strictly prohibited. People generally eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, and milk products or they may observe a complete fast.
This fast is mostly observed by young women seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva to get a good husband. The fast is also observed by married women for the welfare of their family and loved ones. This fast is observed every consecutive Monday for 16 weeks.
Starting the fast on the first Monday of the Hindu lunar month of Shravan is considered extremely auspicious and extremely fruitful. In addition to observing a fast, women also need to recite from the solah somvar vrat katha book while offering prayers to Lord Shiva.
The Satyanarayan vrat is generally observed by people commencing something new or auspicious. The fast s is observed to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu for health, wealth, and prosperity. Reading the Satyanarayan vrat katha is an integral part of the rituals for observing the fast.
The Satyanarayn vrat katha can be observed on any day as the puja for the same is extremely simple. However, it is advisable to invite as many relatives and friends for this puja as possible. They are fed fruits as part of the prasad.
It is considered to be one of the most difficult fasts and is specifically meant for married and recently engaged women for the long life of their husbands. Women observing the fast need to eat a special meal called sargi before the sun rises after which they cannot consume even water.
The women have to deck up like a new bride by wearing new clothes and jewelry and covering their hands with henna. When the moon rises, the women view it through a sieve and then drink water from the hand of their husbands, thus breaking the fast.
The Durga Saptashati path is generally organized during the Navratri to seek the blessings of the divine goddess. During the path, the devotees read from the 700 verses of Durga Saptashati that describe and glorify the various forms of Goddess Durga.
Although the path can be organized any day, reciting the verses during Navratri holds special significance. Reciting the verses is said to bring peace and prosperity into the life of the devotees and bless them with good health and happiness.
The vrat is observed to seek the blessings of Lord Shanidev, who according to Hindu mythology is the Lord of Justice. For people observing the fast, worshipping Lord Hanuman and Lord Narasimha along with Lord Shanidev is considered extremely vital.
Reading the Shanivaar vrat katha and wearing fresh black clothes while offering puja to Shanidev is an important part of observing this fast. It is also advisable to offer meals and Dakshina to at least five Brahmins to get the best benefits of observing this fast.
The fast is observed to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and Parvati for marital bliss and progeny. The devotees worship temporary statues of these deities, which they make from sand. The fast is observed on the third day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Badrapada.
The puja for the vrat is best performed during the morning time and the story of Hartalika is recited from the relevant Hindu vrat katha book during the puja. The fast is mostly observed by women of the household, who avoid drinking water or eating anything throughout the day.
This is an extremely important fast observed by married Hindu women during the lunar month of Jyestha on the full moon or no moon night of this month. The fast is observed by the women to seek the boon of long life from their husbands from Yamraj, the Hindu God of Death.
Women observing the fast listen to or recite the story of how Savitri got back her husband, Satyavan’s life from Yamraj. The women worship the Banyan tree and eat its roots during the fast. In some communities, the fast is observed for three days, commencing from the thirteenth day of the dark or bright fortnight.
The fast is observed on the eighth day of the bright fortnight of every month in the Hindu lunar calendar. The devotees seek the blessings of Goddess Durga by eating only one satvik meal during the whole day. Some people also prepare a prasad of black chana and halwa puri to be distributed among young girls.
Like most other Hindu fasts, this fast is also observed by abstaining from eating non-veg food and consuming alcohol. Many people, observe the fast by opting to eat only fruits and drinking milk.
This fast is observed to celebrate the wedding of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. It is observed on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Margh month of the Hindu lunar calendar. The fast generally lasts for 24 hours, commencing with sunrise on Chaturdashi and ending with sunrise on the next day.
In addition to observing a complete fast, many people spend the entire night of Shivratri worshipping Lord Shiva and Parvati. It is a common belief that observing a fast on this day helps in eliminating all the troubles of the devotees and blesses them with health, wealth, and happiness.
Observing vrats and upvas is an ancient Hindu tradition that not only helps to detoxify the body but also the mind of the devotees but also enables them to lead a more pious and fulfilling life.
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