The Concept of Fasting in Hinduism
By Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam
04 March 2026
Abstract:
This article explains the concept of fasting in Hinduism. It says that all religions aim to make human beings pure and morally strong so that peace can be established in society. Like Islam, Hinduism also teaches self-control, spiritual growth and closeness to God. In Hinduism, fasting is called Upvas or Vrat and is considered an important act of worship. However, unlike Ramadan in Islam, Hindu fasting is mostly voluntary and not compulsory for everyone at the same time. There are many types of fasts mentioned in Hindu traditions, such as simple Vrat, Chandrayan, Ekadashi, Karva Chauth and Navratri. Each fast has its own method and purpose. Some are linked to particular deities or festivals. The main purpose of fasting in Hinduism is to control material desires, avoid worldly attachments and develop spiritual purity. Through fasting, Hindus try to reduce greed and increase moral and spiritual values in society.
Main Points
· Hinduism considers fasting a means of spiritual purification and moral self-discipline.
· Most Hindu fasts are voluntary, not compulsory like Ramadan in Islam.
· Different types of fasts follow different rules and religious traditions.
· Fasting helps control material desires and reduce worldly attachments.
· The main aim is promoting spirituality, peace and moral values.
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The main aim of religions is to make human beings righteous and pure so that peace and harmony can be established in society. For this reason, every religion has teachings for moral training and spiritual purification. If people truly follow these teachings and shape their lives according to them, they can achieve success and true happiness.
Just as Islam has a system of spiritual purification, self-discipline and closeness to God, Hinduism also contains teachings that develop spirituality within a person. In Hinduism, worship, self-control and fasting are important means of spiritual growth. When people follow the principles and teachings of their religion, peace and harmony increase in society. Worship not only creates a spiritual feeling but also promotes social welfare. Therefore, the system of worship has always played a key role in building a peaceful and serious society.
The Concept of Fasting in Hinduism
Hinduism is an ancient religion with a complete religious system. It has sacred books, scriptures, forms of worship and spiritual practice, as well as legal and moral teachings. This system shows that Hinduism provides clear principles for social life, and its followers try to live according to these principles.
In Hinduism, fasting is known as Upvas or Vrat. It is considered an important act of worship. However, there are different types and methods of fasting. Often, fasts are observed to fulfil a vow or during religious festivals. Unlike Islam, where fasting in Ramadan is compulsory for every adult Muslim, Hinduism does not have one single fast that is obligatory for all Hindus at the same time.
In Hindu belief, each day of the week is associated with a particular deity. Therefore, a fast is kept on the day connected to that specific deity.
In the sacred book Ramayana, it is mentioned that when Lord Rama went into exile, he kept a fast on his first night. He also fasted before leading his army against Ravana.
Types of Fasts in Hinduism
The famous scholar Al-Biruni, in his book Tahqiq ma li’l-Hind, described different types of Hindu fasts.
Hindu texts mention various types of fasts rather than one general rule. Some important types are:
1. Simple Vrat:
A person chooses a specific day and keeps the fast in the name of God or a deity. They eat one meal the previous day, clean themselves, perform their duties, and remain in a state of devotion. The fast may be broken after sunrise or at noon the next day.
2. Kar Chhara:
In this type, a person eats at noon on the first day, at night on the second day, eats whatever is received without asking on the third day, and keeps a full fast on the fourth day.
3. Prak:
The person eats at noon for three days, then at night for the next three days, and then keeps a continuous fast for three days without breaking it.
4. Chandrayan:
This fast follows the cycle of the moon. Food is gradually increased or decreased according to the waxing and waning of the moon, with full fasting on the full moon day.
Apart from these, there are other well-known fasts:
Ekadashi:
The eleventh day of the Hindu lunar month. On this day, grains and beans are avoided from sunrise to the next sunrise. Milk, fruit and vegetables are allowed. The Ekadashi of the month of Shravana is considered especially rewarding.
Purnima:
The full moon day of each month. Some Hindus observe a fast on this day.
Karva Chauth:
Observed in the month of Kartik. Married women fast for the long life of their husbands, and unmarried women may fast to pray for a good husband. The fast lasts from before sunrise until the moon appears. Women traditionally look at the moon through a sieve and then look at their husbands before breaking the fast.
Maha Shivaratri:
A famous Hindu festival during which fasting is considered very virtuous. Devotees bathe early in the morning and offer special worship to Lord Shiva in temples.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi:
Observed during the month known as Dhanur Maas. Followers of Vishnu consider it very important. Some keep a complete fast, while others avoid certain foods such as rice. The fast continues until the next morning, and the night is spent in worship.
Navratri Fasts:
Navratri is a ten-day festival celebrated with great enthusiasm by Hindus around the world. Devotees fast for nine days and offer fruit and flowers to Goddess Durga. The festival symbolises the victory of good over evil, recalling the defeat of Ravana by Rama. Effigies of Ravana are burned during the celebrations.
The Purpose of Fasting in Hinduism
According to scholars of Hinduism, the purposes of fasting include:
Freedom from the desire for a long life.
Freedom from the fear of a short life.
Freedom from physical pleasures.
Freedom from the desire for popularity or praise.
From the above discussion, it can be clearly understood that in Hinduism fasting is considered a means of spiritual purification. Hindu teachings strongly encourage control over material desires. The main objective of fasting is to free a person from worldly attachments and impurities.
It is also true that Hinduism does not generally make fasting compulsory in the way Islam makes Ramadan obligatory. Most Hindu fasts are voluntary. Even so, many Hindus regularly observe them. The main aim is to reduce materialism and greed in society and to promote spirituality and moral values.
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Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi is an Islamic scholar, author and a regular columnist for New Age Islam.
URL: https://newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/concept-of-fasting-in-hinduism-/d/139116
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