Saturday, 13 August 2016

Ravi Vaar or Sunday Fast

In Hinduism, each day of a week is dedicated to a particular god,Apart from the special Vratas and Upvaas, many Hindus also fast on a particular day in a week.

Sunday : 

Ravivar, or Sunday, is dedicated to Lord Surya or Suryanarayana. Upvaas or fasting on the day is dedicated to the Sun God. Red is the color of the day.Those people who undertake fast on the day only eat food once that too before sunset. Salt, oil and fried food items are avoided.



Red color sandalwood paste is applied as tilak on forehead.Extra care is given on cleanliness of the body and surrounding.It is believed that Ravivar Vrat will help in fulfilling desires.People with skin diseases observe the Vrat to get relief.

 Things to do :
  • Wake up Before Sunrise
  • Take a fresh  Bath and wear New Clothes
  • Take your meal and Fruit, only while Sun is in the sky.
  • If you have taken Fast, and if Sun does not come in the sky, do not take any Meal or Fruit and take that next day when Sun comes up in the sky.
  •  Do not take Salt and Oily food in your meal.

Story :


Once there was an old lady. She would get up early in the morning and take her bath. She kept her house dean by plastering it with cow dung, and took her meals only after offering food to the Sun God. She lived a happy life. This lady used to collect cow dung from her neighbor�s house. The neighbor�s wife was jealous of her. She tethered her cow inside the room so that the old lady could not collect the dung. And as she could not plaster her house with cow-dung, she did not cook her food.

She did not even offer food to the idols. She remained on fast throughout the day and slept with empty stomach. The Sun God appeared before her in her dream. He sold, �Why did not you take your meals? Why did you not offer food to the Idols?� The old lady said politely, �My neighbor�s lady did not allow me to collect cow dung from her house. I could not clean my house. I have no cow of my own�. The Sun God said, �I am happy with you because you kept fast on Sunday. I am pleased with your worship. I shall give you a beautiful cow�. The god disappeared. The old lady opened her eyes.

A beautiful cow, with a calf, was standing in her courtyard. She was surprised to see them. She arranged hay and water for them. When the neighbor�s lady saw the cow in the old lady�s house, she became jealous of her. She also noticed that the cow�s dung was of gold and not any ordinary dung. She took the gold dung and replaced it with the ordinary dung of her cow. She continued the replacing practice for a couple of days. The Sun God noted that the old lady was being cheated by her neighbor. He caused a storm at sunset. The old lady tethered her cow inside her room for its safety.

She was, however, surprised to see that her cow gave her gold dung instead of an ordinary one. She could see through her neighbors trick. The neighbor�s lady was constantly jealous. She thought of a plan to deprive her of the wonder cow. She went to the king and said, �My Lord, a poor old lady in our neighborhood has a divine cow. The cow gives gold dung. It would be befitting for your graciousness if this cow is with you. She keeps it inside her room. No one can have even its glimpse�. The king was a greedy person. He told his courtier, �Go immediately and bring the cow�.

The old lady was about to offer food to the Sun God�s idol when the courtier reached her house. He untied the rope from peg and took away the cow. The lady prayed and wept, but all in vain. The old lady missed her meals that day. She prayed to her God for the safe return of the cow. She could not sleep at night. The king on the other hand, was highly pleased to have that divine cow. That night, he had a dream. The Sun God was there who said, �I offered this cow to the old lady as a token of my affection for her worship of me. You do not deserve this cow�.

The king woke up. He was badly shaken. He saw that the entire palace was full of cow dung. There was bad smell all around. In the morning, the king sent for the old lady with due honor. He returned the cow to the old lady and also gave her some wealth. The neighbor�s lady was suitably punished which was a cause of relief to all. The king proclaimed order that all his subjects should observe fast on Sundays if they wanted their desires to be fulfilled.

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