Vrat kathas for each day of the week
Each day of the week is dedicated to a deity, and many families keep a fast on one or more days — for a fixed number of weeks, for a wish, or all their lives. The katha is read or heard during the puja, before the fast is broken.
-
Solah Somvar Vrat Katha सोलह सोमवार व्रत कथा
Sixteen Mondays for Shiva and Parvati.
-
Mangalvar Vrat Katha मंगलवार व्रत कथा
Tuesday fast for Hanuman — Keshavi and her son Mangal.
-
Budhvar Vrat Katha बुधवार व्रत कथा
Wednesday fast for Budh dev — the traveller and his double.
-
Guruvar Vrat Katha गुरुवार (बृहस्पतिवार) व्रत कथा
Thursday fast for Brihaspati and Vishnu — the king and queen.
-
Santoshi Mata Vrat Katha संतोषी माता व्रत कथा (शुक्रवार)
Friday fast for Santoshi Mata — jaggery and gram, nothing sour.
-
Shanivar Vrat Katha शनिवार व्रत कथा
Saturday fast for Shani dev — King Vikramaditya's sade sati.
-
Ravivar Vrat Katha रविवार व्रत कथा
Sunday fast for Surya dev — the old woman and the golden cow.
Other popular vrats
-
Satyanarayan Vrat Katha श्री सत्यनारायण व्रत कथा
Five chapters on Vishnu as Satyanarayan.
-
Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha अहोई अष्टमी व्रत कथा
Mothers' fast for their children — the sahukar's youngest daughter-in-law.
For the 26 Ekadashis of the year, each with its own story, see Ekadashi vrats.
Festival vrat kathas
The kathas of the festival fasts are told on their festival pages, with the date, puja vidhi and mantras:
- Karva Chauth vrat katha करवा चौथ
- Ahoi Ashtami vrat katha अहोई अष्टमी
- Vat Savitri vrat katha वट सावित्री
- Hartalika Teej vrat katha हरतालिका तीज
- Hariyali Teej vrat katha हरियाली तीज
- Rishi Panchami vrat katha ऋषि पंचमी
- Anant Chaturdashi vrat katha अनंत चतुर्दशी
Frequently asked questions
What is a vrat katha?
A vrat katha is the story told or heard on the day of a religious fast (vrat). It explains why the vrat is kept and what blessings it brings; hearing or reading it is part of completing the vrat.
Which vrat is kept on which day of the week?
Traditionally: Monday for Shiva, Tuesday for Hanuman, Wednesday for Budh and Ganesha, Thursday for Brihaspati and Vishnu, Friday for Santoshi Mata or Lakshmi, Saturday for Shani, and Sunday for Surya.
Can the katha be read instead of heard?
Yes. Traditionally one person reads and the family listens, holding a little akshat (rice) or flowers, but reading it yourself with attention is equally accepted.
What is udyapan?
Udyapan is the formal completion of a vrat kept for a fixed number of weeks or days — usually a puja, feeding brahmins or the needy, and gifts, after which the vrat is complete.