Hindu Vrats & Fasting Days
The recurring fasts of the Hindu month - each kept on a particular tithi for a particular deity. Here is what each one is, and when it next falls in Mumbai, MH.
| Vrat | Falls on | Deity | Next in Mumbai, MH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ekadashi | 11th tithi, twice a month | Vishnu | 9 August 2026 |
| Pradosh Vrat | Trayodashi (13th), twice a month | Shiva | 27 July 2026 |
| Sankashti Chaturthi | Krishna Chaturthi, monthly | Ganesha | 2 August 2026 |
| Purnima | Full moon, monthly | Vishnu / Chandra | 29 July 2026 |
| Amavasya | New moon, monthly | Pitris (ancestors) | 12 August 2026 |
What is a vrat?
A vrat is a vow of observance - most often a fast - taken to honour a deity and to steady the mind and body. The recurring vrats fall on fixed tithis: Ekadashi and Pradosh twice a month, Sankashti Chaturthi once, and the full and new moons that frame each fortnight. How strictly the fast is kept - from a waterless nirjala to a single grain-free meal - is a matter of health and devotion.
Frequently asked questions
What is a vrat?
A vrat is a religious vow, usually kept as a fast, undertaken on a particular tithi or weekday to honour a deity and earn spiritual merit. Most are recurring - once or twice a lunar month - and each has its own rules for what may be eaten and when the fast is broken.
Which are the main monthly vrats?
The most widely kept are Ekadashi (twice a month, for Vishnu), Pradosh Vrat (twice a month, for Shiva), Sankashti Chaturthi (monthly, for Ganesha), and the full-moon Purnima and new-moon Amavasya observances.
Are vrat dates the same everywhere?
No. Vrats are tied to tithis, which begin and end at times that depend on your local sunrise - and some, like Sankashti and Pradosh, hinge on local moonrise or sunset. So the date, and especially the timing, can differ by city. Always check the panchang for your location.
Last updated 26 July 2026