Weekly & Monthly Vrats

Shukravar Vrat (Friday Fast for Lakshmi)

45 minutes Anyone can perform Morning
Shukravar Vrat (Friday Fast for Lakshmi)

Purpose

Friday is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Santoshi Mata. This vrat brings wealth, prosperity, marital happiness, and fulfillment of desires.

Overview

Shukravar (Friday) is governed by Venus (Shukra) and is sacred to Goddess Lakshmi (for wealth) and Santoshi Mata (for contentment and satisfaction).

**Santoshi Mata Vrat:** Became hugely popular after the 1975 film "Jai Santoshi Maa." The vrat involves avoiding sour foods and offering gur-chana.

**Lakshmi Puja:** For wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi puja on Friday evenings with white flowers, sweets, and lamp is recommended.

The key element is avoiding anything sour - even accidentally consuming sour items is said to break the vrat.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1
Sankalp (Intention)

Take the vow of fasting with clear intention.

2
Morning Puja

Perform morning worship after bath.

3
Maintain Fast

Follow the prescribed fasting rules throughout the day.

4
Evening Puja

Perform evening worship with full rituals.

5
Break Fast (Parana)

Break the fast after puja with prescribed food.

Primary Mantra

**Lakshmi Mantra:** ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः **Lakshmi Gayatri:** ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै च विद्महे विष्णुपत्न्यै च धीमहि। तन्नो लक्ष्मीः प्रचोदयात्॥ **Santoshi Mata Mantra:** ॐ श्री संतोषी माता नमः

Do's and Don'ts

Do's
  • • Wear white or yellow clothes
  • • Offer white flowers, sweets
  • • Light ghee lamp
  • • Distribute gur-chana prasad
  • • Clean home, especially kitchen
Don'ts
  • • Strictly avoid sour foods
  • • Don't consume lemon, pickle, tamarind
  • • Don't quarrel with anyone
  • • Avoid wastage of food
  • • Don't disrespect anyone

Frequently Asked Questions

Primarily observed by women for family prosperity. Men can also observe.

Every Friday. 16 consecutive Fridays (Solah Shukravar) for specific wishes.

Practices may vary by region, family tradition, and individual circumstances. Consult qualified elders or priests for guidance specific to your situation.
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Materials Needed
Essential
  • Fresh Flowers
  • Rice (Akshat)
  • Kumkum (Sindoor)
  • Incense Sticks (Agarbatti)
  • Diya (Oil Lamp)
  • Cotton Wicks
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