Vrat
Fasting observances kept on specific days or occasions, with the rules and reasoning behind each.
What a vrat involves
A vrat is a vow of fasting or restraint undertaken for a specific spiritual purpose — anything from a full day without food to simply avoiding grains or eating only once. It's typically paired with worship of a particular deity, recitation of their mantra or chalisa, and a specific closing ritual (udyapan) if the vrat runs across multiple occurrences.
Why the rules vary so much
Unlike a single universal fasting practice, each vrat has its own specific rules set by tradition and scripture — what can and can't be eaten, which day of the lunar calendar it falls on, and what the vow is meant to achieve, whether that's general wellbeing, resolving a specific obstacle, or observing a festival's eve. Ekadashi Vrat, observed twice a month, is one of the most widely kept examples.
Approaching a vrat responsibly
Traditional fasting rules were set long before modern health considerations like diabetes or pregnancy were part of the conversation — anyone with a medical condition should adapt a vrat's dietary restrictions sensibly rather than following them rigidly against medical advice.