6 important vrats or fasts Hindus should keep and why

Vrats, upvaas or fasting is done by Hindus on numerous occasions. While some fast on specific days of the week others keep a fast on specific occasions. For example, some keep a fast every Tuesday and Friday for these days are dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Maa Santoshi. Some others fast on Monday and Thursday to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Apart from these specific days, people fast on Ekadashi, Karwachauth, and Maha Shivaratri too to please the respective deities.
Here we list six vrats and fasts that are of great importance and should be kept by all Hindus.

Nirjala Ekadashi, celebrated during the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, is an intense fast where keepers abstain from both food and water. Unlike other Ekadashi vrats, during Nirjala Ekadashi, people refrain from all forms of food and consumption throughout the day and night. This fast is believed to cleanse the soul, remove the sins committed unknowingly, and bring prosperity. Observing Nirjala Ekadashi fast is said to provide the benefits of all other Ekadashi fasts combined which makes it one of the strongest fasts devotees keep.

Started usually during the month of Saavan, the 16 Somvaar Vrat involves fasting on 16 consecutive Mondays dedicating them to Lord Shiva. Devotees, mostly women, undertake this vrat to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva for the fulfillment of desires, spiritual growth, and the well-being of their families. The 16 Somvaar vrat are done by women to ask Lord Shiva for the perfect, ideal husband and it is important to visit Shiva temples, perform special prayers, and maintain a strict fast from morning till evening. During the 16 Somvaar vrat, devotees only eat certain meals that have been told by traditions.

Poornmashi or Purnima, marks the full moon day in the Hindu lunar calendar, and fasting is done on Poornmashi to please Lord Chandra. When the Moon completes a cycle around the Earth it is said to mark a new chapter and beginning in a person’s life. Fasting on this day is considered both holy and important and devotees observe this fast to cleanse their spirits and seek blessings and forgiveness. On Kartik Purnima, Satyanarayan Vrat is also kept and devotees read, chant, or listen to the Satyanarayan Vrat Katha. Fasting on Poornmashi is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and blessings of God.

A vrat kept mostly by married Hindu women for their husband is Karwachauth. Married Hindu women keep this vrat for the long life and well-being of their husbands. On this day, women fast from sunrise to moonrise, and do not consume any form of food and water. Before sunrise, a ‘Sargi’ prepared by the mother-in-law is eaten and after moonrise, the fast is broken with water and fruits. Karwachauth vrat is a symbol of love, devotion, and the bond between married couples.

Navratri or Nine Nights is a festival that honours Goddess Durga in her various forms. People all around India observe fast, perform daily prayers, and take part in traditional dances (Garba and Dandiya) to celebrate the victory of good over evil. The nine days of Navaratri are celebrated by worshipping nine avatars of Maa Durga and devotees abstain from grains, non-vegetarian food, and alcohol during these nine days.

Maha Shivaratri which loosely translates to the ‘Great Night of Lord Shiva’, is celebrated with utmost devotion by his devotees. The Maha Shivratri fast is done from sunrise to the following sunrise and people try to stay awake through the night. Devotees meditate, pray, chant sacred mantras, and visit temples of Lord Shiva. The Maha Shivratri fast is one of purification and being more in sync with oneself. Observing Maha Shivaratri fast is believed to give devotees better spiritual health, blessings of Shiva, and if done with pure heart and intentions, liberation from the cycle of birth and death.