Spiritual World
Vrata Information
Akshaya Tritiya Vrata
Observed on the bright third of Vaishakha, the word 'Akshaya' in the name of this vrata means 'imperishable' — charity, penance, and auspicious acts done on this day are believed to bear fruit that never diminishes. The day is also regarded as supremely auspicious for beginning new undertakings (marriage, house-warming, new business).
Ekadashi Vrata
A fasting observance kept on the eleventh lunar day (Ekadashi) of both the bright and dark fortnights of every lunar month, dedicated to Vishnu. There are usually 24 Ekadashis a year (26 in a year with an extra lunar month), each with its own name and mythological significance (such as Nirjala, Devshayani, Mokshada Ekadashi).
Kartik Vrata
A special devotional vrata observed until the full moon of Kartik, symbolically a month of austerity. This month brings together sacred baths, charity, conch-bathing, and the evening-lamp vrata; in Vrindavan the Rasa Yatra occurs, and to Gaudiya Vaishnavas the Kartik month is holy as 'Damodara month'.
Navratri Vrata
Of the four Navratris that occur in a year (Chaitra, Ashadha, Ashwin, and Magha), the Chaitra and Ashwin Navratris are the principal ones. Over nine days the nine forms of Durga (from Shailaputri to Siddhidatri) are worshipped; the Ashwin Navratri is Bengal's Sharadiya Durga Puja. The tenth day after each Navratri is celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.
Guruvar Vrata
Thursday (Guruvar) is the day of the planet Jupiter (Brihaspati, the guru), and the day is also considered dear to Goddess Lakshmi. In Bengal the 'Lakshmibar vrata' is observed in homes every Thursday — this vrata is kept for wealth and happiness in the home through the satisfaction of Goddess Lakshmi.
Shivaratri Vrata
A monthly Shivaratri is observed on the fourteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight of every lunar month, and the most significant 'Maha Shivaratri' falls on the dark fourteenth of Phalguna. This vrata, dedicated to the worship of Shiva, follows a custom of all-night vigil and fasting.
Sankashti Chaturthi Vrata
Observed on the fourth lunar day of the dark fortnight of every lunar month, this vrata is dedicated to Ganesha. 'Sankashti' means 'relief from hardship' — the core spirit of this vrata is a prayer to the remover of obstacles, Ganesha, to clear away life's difficulties.
Sandhyadip Vrata
This vrata, of lighting a lamp at dusk and worshipping the deity, is an ancient observance among women of Vaishnava homes in Bengal. Kept by lighting a lamp in the evening in honour of the goddess Shashthi and, in Vaishnava families, of the Lord, the Kartik-month evening lamp is a tradition of Bengal's winter evenings.
Savitri Vrata
A women's vrata observed in remembrance of the story of Savitri and Satyavan from the Mahabharata, where Savitri won her husband back even from death itself. Married women keep this vrata on the new moon of Jaishtha (in Bengal) or the full moon of Vaishakha-Jaishtha (in India) for their husbands' long life and protection from misfortune.
Somvar Vrata
Monday is Shiva's favourite day, and this vrata, dedicated to the worship of Shiva and Parvati, is a popular weekly observance. Unmarried women keep it wishing for a husband like Shiva, and married women for the welfare of their homes. The Somvar vrata is extremely common in Bengal and North India.