Lord Vishnu
Ekadashi Vrat
📅 Twice a Month
The most significant influential fast dedicated to Lord Vishnu, observed twice a month.
Deity:
Frequency:
Major Vrats (10)
The most spiritually significant fasts observed across India.
Goddess Durga
Navratri Vrat
📅 Biannual
A nine-day festival fasting period worshipping the nine forms of Maa Durga.
Lord Vishnu / Moon
Purnima Vrat
📅 Monthly
Fasting on the Full Moon day, significant for Satyanarayan Puja.
Ancestors (Pitru)
Amavasya Vrat
📅 Monthly
Observed on the New Moon day, dedicated to offering peace to anestors.
Lord Shiva & Parvati
Karva Chauth
📅 Annual
Observed by married women for the longevity and safety of their husbands.
Lord Shiva
Maha Shivaratri
📅 Annual
The Great Night of Shiva, celebrated with all-night vigil and fasting.
Lord Krishna
Janmashtami Vrat
📅 Annual
Celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna with fasting until midnight.
Sun God (Surya)
Makar Sankranti
📅 Annual
Marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn; a day for holy dips and donations.
Lord Rama
Rama Navami
📅 Annual
Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama; fasting and reading Ramayana.
Lord Hanuman
Hanuman Jayanti
📅 Annual
Celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman with devotion and celibacy.
Tithi-Based Vrats (8)
Fasting days determined by the lunar calendar phases.
Lord Shani
Shani Vrat
📅 Weekly
Observed on Saturdays to appease Lord Shani and mitigate Sade Sati effects.
Goddess Durga
Ashtami Vrat
📅 Monthly
Monthly fasting on Shukla Ashtami (Durgashtami) dedicated to the Goddess.
Lord Ganesha
Chaturthi Vrat (Ganesh)
📅 Monthly
Vinayaka Chaturthi observed on the 4th day of the waxing moon.
Lord Ganesha
Sankashti Chaturthi
📅 Monthly
Monthly fast on the 4th day of the waning moon to remove obstacles.
Lord Kartikeya
Skanda Sashti Vrat
📅 Monthly
Observed on the 6th day (Sashti) for victory and well-being of children.
Lord Shiva / Kamadeva
Trayodashi Vrat
📅 Annual
Observed on the 13th lunar day, typically for Lord Shiva (Pradosh).
Sun God (Surya)
Saptami Vrat
📅 Monthly
Dedicated to the Sun God, observed on the 7th day of the lunar month.
Yamaraj & Yamuna
Dvitiya Vrat (Bhai Dooj)
📅 Annual
Observed on the 2nd lunar day, focusing on sibling bonds (Yama Dwitiya).
Shaiva Vrats (7)
Dedicated observances for Lord Shiva and his forms.
Lord Shiva
Somvar Vrat
📅 Weekly
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, observed on Mondays for peace, prosperity, and ideal partners.
Lord Shiva & Parvati
Pradosh Vrat
📅 Twice a Month
Observed twice a month during the twilight period (Pradosh Kaal) to remove sins.
Lord Shiva
Shravan Somvar Vrat
📅 Occasional
The holiest Mondays of the year, observed in the month of Shravan for Shiva's grace.
Lord Shiva
Kartik Somvar Vrat
📅 Annual
Mondays in the holy month of Kartik, considered highly auspicious for absolution.
Lord Shiva
Maha Pradosh Vrat
📅 Monthly
A highly potent Pradosh vrat, typically when falling on Saturday (Shani Pradosh).
Lord Nataraja
Ardra Darshan Vrat
📅 Annual
Celebrates the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva (Thiruvathira) in Margashirsha month.
Lord Kaal Bhairav
Kalashtami Vrat
📅 Monthly
Monthly fast on the 8th waning moon day dedicated to Kaal Bhairav.
Women & Family (9)
Vrats observed primarily for marital bliss and family well-being.
Goddess Parvati
Mangala Gauri Vrat
📅 Weekly (Seasonal)
Observed by married women on Tuesdays in Shravan month for marital bliss.
Goddess Savitri / Banyan Tree
Vat Savitri Vrat
📅 Annual
Observed by married women worshipping the Banyan tree for husband's longevity.
Ahoi Mata
Ahoi Ashtami
📅 Annual
Fasting by mothers for the well-being and long life of their sons.
Goddess Parvati & Lord Shiva
Teej Vrat
📅 Annual
Three fasting festivals (Hariyali, Kajari, Hartalika) observed by women for marital bliss.
Lord Jimutvahana
Jivitputrika Vrat (Jitiya)
📅 Weekly (16 Weeks)
A rigorous fast observed by mothers for the well-being of their children.
Sheetala Mata
Sheetala Mata Vrat
📅 Annual
Observed to protect family from diseases, especially smallpox/measles.
Santoshi Mata
Santoshi Mata Vrat
📅 Annual
Observed on 16 consecutive Fridays for satisfaction and domestic harmony.
Saptarishi
Rishi Panchami
📅 Annual
Observed to pay respect to the Seven Sages and cleanse sins.
Lord Anant (Vishnu)
Anant Chaturdashi
📅 Annual
Fasting on the 14th day of Bhadrapada, tying the sacred Anant thread.
Regional & Cultural Powerhouses (12)
Festivals deeply rooted in regional traditions and culture.
Sun God (Surya)
Chhath Vrat
📅 Annual
A rigorous 4-day fast dedicated to the Sun God for well-being and prosperity.
Lord Krishna
Govardhan Puja
📅 Annual
Worship of the Govardhan Hill and cows, performed the day after Diwali.
Tulsi Devi & Lord Vishnu
Tulsi Vivah
📅 Annual
Ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant to Lord Vishnu (Shaligram).
Moon God & Lord Vishnu
Magh Purnima Vrat
📅 Annual
Full moon in Magh month, famous for holy dips (Magh Snan) and charity.
Ancestors (Pitru)
Paush Amavasya Vrat
📅 Annual
New moon in Paush month, dedicated to ancestral worship and charity.
Lord Vishnu
Nirjala Ekadashi
📅 Annual
The toughest Ekadashi, observed without water in the severe heat of Jyeshtha.
Goddess Gauri (Parvati)
Gauri Ganpati Vrat
📅 Annual
Maharashtrian festival where Gauri (Parvati) visits her son Ganesha.
Nag Devta (Snake Gods)
Nag Panchami Vrat
📅 Annual
Worship of snakes on the 5th day of Shravan for protection.
Bulls (Nandi)
Bail Pola Vrat
📅 Annual
Farm festival in Maharashtra/Chhattisgarh worshipping bulls for their labor.
Goddess Varalakshmi
Varalakshmi Vratam
📅 Annual
South Indian festival by married women for prosperity and husband's well-being.
Lord Surya (Sun)
Ratha Saptami Vrat
📅 Annual
Marks the birth of the Sun God and his chariot ride.
Lord Shiva & Agni
Karthigai Deepam Vrat
📅 Annual
Festival of lights in Tamil Nadu, celebrating Shiva as an endless flame.
Advanced / Niche Vrats (5)
Esoteric and rigourous observances for spiritual elevation.
Moon God (Chandra)
Chandrayan Vrat
📅 Occasional
A lunar penance where food intake typically increases and decreases with the moon's phases.
Lord Shiva
Ati Rudra Mahayajna
📅 Occasional
Vrat observed during the supreme Vedic ritual of Ati Rudram.
Sun God (Surya)
Kumbha Sankranti
📅 Annual
Sun's transit into Aquarius, significant for the Kumbh Mela.
Lord Shiva
Adhik Maas Pradosh
📅 Occasional
Pradosh observed during the extra lunar month (Adhik Maas).
Lord Vishnu (Purushottam)
Purushottam Ekadashi
📅 Occasional
Two rare Ekadashis (Padmini and Parama) occurring only every 3 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a vrat in Hindu dharma?
A 'Vrat' implies a vow or resolution. It is a spiritual observance that typically involves fasting, prayers, and adherence to specific rules (niyamas) for a determined period to purity the mind and body.
Which vrat is most commonly observed?
Ekadashi is considered the "King of Vrats" and is widely observed twice a month. Other popular vrats include Maha Shivaratri, Navratri, and Karva Chauth.
What is Parana?
Parana refers to the ritualistic breaking of the fast. It must be done within a specific time window (Parana Muhurat) to gain the full merit of the vrat.
Can elderly people observe vrats?
Yes, but leniency is allowed. Elderly people or those with health issues can observe 'Phalahar' (eating fruits) or partial fasts instead of 'Nirjala' (waterless) fasts.
What is the difference between upvas and vrat?
Upvas literally means "sitting near" (the divine), and typically focusses on fasting. Vrat is a broader term meaning "vow", implying a commitment to certain codes of conduct, truthfulness, and celibacy along with fasting.
Are vrat rules same across regions?
No, customs vary significantly. For example, in North India, Karva Chauth involves viewing the moon through a sieve, while in parts of the South, similar vows may differ in ritual. Always follow your family tradition (Kulachar).