Vrat Katha Collection
Listening to or reading the katha completes a vrat. Here is a summary of each vrat katha; read the full katha, puja vidhi and dates on its page.
Amavasya Katha
The scriptures say that on Amavasya the ancestors wait at the door for offerings from their families. Those who remember them with tarpan and charity receive their blessings, while neglecting them can bring 'pitru dosh'. Mauni Amavasya, Somvati Amavasya and S…
Ekadashi Vrat Katha
The Ekadashi katha tells how Goddess Ekadashi appeared from Lord Vishnu to defeat the demon Mura. Since then, fasting on this day is believed to remove sins and bring peace.
Guruvar (Brihaspati) Vrat Katha
A rich merchant's wife refused to give charity to Brihaspati Dev, who came disguised as a sadhu, and soon the family lost all its wealth. When she repented and began the Thursday fast with faith, their fortunes returned.
Mangalvar Vrat Katha
A Brahmin couple had no children. The wife fasted every Tuesday, and Hanuman ji blessed her with a son named Mangal. When her husband, out of doubt, tried to harm the boy, Hanuman ji protected him and revealed the truth. The couple then served Hanuman ji with…
Masik Shivratri Katha
Goddess Parvati is said to have kept this monthly fast to win Lord Shiva as her husband. Lakshmi, Saraswati, Sita and Rukmini are also said to have observed it. Devotees believe it removes obstacles and brings Shiva's grace.
Pradosh Vrat Katha
The Pradosh katha recounts how Lord Shiva saved the devas by drinking the poison from the churning of the ocean, at the hour now called pradosh.
Purnima Vrat Katha
Long ago, a poor Brahmin of Kashi was told by Lord Vishnu, in the form of an old man, to perform the Satyanarayan vrat on Purnima. He did so with faith and his poverty ended. A merchant who promised the puja but kept delaying it faced many troubles until he f…
Sankashti Chaturthi Katha
The Sankashti katha describes how Lord Ganesha removes obstacles for devotees who observe this fast with devotion.
Santoshi Mata Vrat (Shukravar) Katha
A poor daughter-in-law whose husband had gone away kept the Friday fast with faith. Santoshi Mata brought her husband home with great wealth. When relatives secretly fed sour food to children at her udyapan, troubles returned, until she again worshipped the M…
Shanivar Vrat Katha
King Vikramaditya once said that Shani Dev was the least of the planets. He then suffered seven and a half years of hardship – losing his kingdom and being falsely accused. When he prayed to Shani Dev with humility, everything was restored, and he spread the…
Somvar Vrat Katha
A wealthy merchant had no son. Pleased by his Monday fasts, Shiva granted him a son but said the boy would live only twelve years. When the boy died in a far-off city on his wedding journey, Parvati pleaded with Shiva and he returned the boy to life because o…