Bhakti · व्रत कथा
व्रत — Vrat Katha & Vidhi
45 evergreen guides with full katha, step-by-step vidhi, mantras, aarti, and udyapan. Browse popular Lakshmi and Shiva vrats, every Ekadashi, or weekday fasts from Somvar to Ravivar.
What is vrat katha?
In Hindu tradition, a vrat is a sacred fast tied to a deity, tithi, or weekday. The vrat katha is the story devotees recite during puja — it explains why the vow exists and what blessing it carries. Alongside the katha, every observance has a vidhi (ritual steps), mantras, and often an udyapan when the cycle completes.
Unlike annual festival pages, these guides stay evergreen: Vaibhav Lakshmi on eleven Fridays, Solah Somwar on Mondays, twenty-four Ekadashis through the year, and vrats for Karva Chauth, Pradosh, and Sankashti Chaturthi. Each page is written for both search and sincere observance — Hindi-first katha with clear English context.
Browse the vrat library
Start with popular guides, filter by weekday, or open the full Ekadashi list.
Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat
वैभव लक्ष्मी व्रत
Eleven Fridays of devotion to Maa Lakshmi — for prosperity that endures
Katha & vidhi →FridaySantoshi Maa Vrat
सन्तोषी माँ व्रत
Sixteen Fridays of devotion to the Mother of Contentment — wishes granted, sour foods avoided
Katha & vidhi →MondaySolah Somwar Vrat
सोलह सोमवार व्रत
Sixteen Mondays of devotion to Lord Shiva — for marriage, wishes, and unbroken dharma
Katha & vidhi →TuesdayMangala Gauri Vrat
मंगला गौरी व्रत
Tuesdays of Sawan in devotion to Mata Parvati — for unmarried women, for marital bliss
Katha & vidhi →Tithi · seasonMahalaxmi Vrat (16 days)
महालक्ष्मी व्रत (सोलह दिवसीय)
Sixteen days of devotion to Mahalakshmi — the Krishna-prescribed vrat for restoring fortune
Katha & vidhi →Tuesday and SaturdaySankat Mochan Vrat
संकट मोचन व्रत
Tuesdays or Saturdays in devotion to Hanuman — the dispeller of every sankat
Katha & vidhi →← HomeToday's Panchang →Festival calendar →
Frequently asked questions
What is a Hindu vrat (व्रत)?
A vrat is a sacred fast or vow in Hindu tradition — abstaining from certain foods, observing silence, or following ritual discipline on a fixed weekday or tithi. Vrats are kept to honour a deity, fulfil a sankalpa (intention), or seek relief from difficulty. Each vrat has its own katha (legendary story), vidhi (steps), mantras, and often an udyapan (concluding ceremony).
What is vrat katha and why is it recited?
Vrat katha is the devotional story associated with a fast — usually narrated during the puja so the observer understands the vow's origin and merit. Reciting the katha with attention is considered essential; skipping or rushing it is traditionally discouraged. Daanyam publishes full kathas in Hindi and English for major weekly and tithi-based vrats.
Which vrat should I observe on Friday?
Fridays are sacred to Lakshmi and Santoshi Mata. Popular Friday vrats include Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat (eleven consecutive Fridays), Santoshi Maa Vrat, Mahalaxmi sixteen-day vrat, and the general Shukravar (Friday) vrat. Open the Friday section on this page or browse Popular guides for step-by-step vidhi.
How is Ekadashi vrat different from a weekly vrat?
Ekadashi falls on the eleventh tithi of each lunar fortnight (twice a month), not on a fixed weekday. There are twenty-four named Ekadashis in the traditional cycle, each with its own katha and phal. Weekly vrats like Somvar (Monday) or Shukravar repeat on the same weekday. Use the Ekadashi tab above for all Ekadashi guides with dates tied to the panchang.
Can men observe vrats like Vaibhav Lakshmi or Santoshi Maa?
Yes. While many household vrats are led by women, men and entire families commonly participate — especially for Somvar, Ekadashi, Pradosh, and Sankat Mochan. The vidhi on each Daanyam page notes who traditionally keeps the vrat; adapt with your family's guru or tradition if needed.
Where do I find the next Ekadashi or Pradosh date?
Use Daanyam's Panchang for today's tithi and upcoming fast days in your city. Individual vrat pages list approximate calendar months; always confirm the exact tithi at sunrise for your location before beginning a nirjala or strict fast.