Devotional · Fasting Stories
Vrat Katha
A vrat katha is the story read while keeping a fast — it explains why the vrat is kept and what it teaches. Below are retellings of the best-loved kathas in our own words, each with its timing and meaning.
Satyanarayan Vrat Katha
Lord VishnuThe Satyanarayan Vrat honours Lord Vishnu in his form as the lord of truth.
Read the katha →Vat Savitri Vrat Katha
SavitriMarried women keep the Vat Savitri Vrat for the long life of their husbands, tying a thread around a banyan tree.
Read the katha →Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha
GauriKarwa Chauth is a day-long waterless fast kept by married women for the well-being and long life of their husbands, broken only after sighting the moon.
Read the katha →Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha
Goddess ParvatiHartalika Teej is a strict fast kept by women — married for their husbands, unmarried for a good husband — recalling Parvati's severe penance to win Shiva.
Read the katha →Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha
Goddess AhoiMothers keep the Ahoi Ashtami fast for the long life and well-being of their children, breaking it after sighting the stars (in some regions the moon).
Read the katha →Somvar (Monday) Vrat Katha
Lord ShivaThe Somvar Vrat is kept on Mondays in devotion to Lord Shiva, often by those seeking a good spouse or family harmony.
Read the katha →Santoshi Mata (Shukravar) Vrat Katha
Goddess Santoshi MataThe Shukravar (Friday) Vrat of Santoshi Mata, the goddess of contentment, is kept for sixteen Fridays for the fulfilment of a heartfelt wish.
Read the katha →