Summary

In India, the cultural and religious diversity leads to a multitude of fasts observed throughout the year, with each day of the week dedicated to different deities and purposes.

Abstract

The article "Fasting In India: 365 Days Of The Year" highlights the widespread practice of fasting among Indians, influenced by religious, cultural, and social customs. Every day of the week is associated with specific fasts, such as Monday for Lord Shiva and Tuesday for Hanuman, each believed to bring various blessings. The practice is so prevalent that it poses a challenge for social gatherings, as individuals often have at least one fasting day per week. The text also touches on significant religious fasts like Navratras, Holi, Ekadashi, Ahoi, Karvachauth, Ramzan, and Lent, observed by different communities across the country. The article suggests that while fasting is believed to have health benefits, such as cleansing the digestive system, and is tied to penance and sacrifice, overindulgence in fasting without understanding its nutritional implications can be counterproductive.

Opinions

The author observes that the frequency of fasting in India is so high that it could potentially replace dieting, leading to a slimmer and healthier population.
The rise of new Godmen has contributed to the increase in the variety and frequency of fasts, with each religious figure promoting their own fasting practices.
There is a hint of skepticism regarding the efficacy of fasting for its intended purposes, such as ensuring a good husband or prosperity, as evidenced by anecdotes of individuals who fast regularly yet face marital issues or do not experience improved circumstances.
The author suggests that the sheer number of fasts in India could mean that almost every day is dedicated to some form of fasting, which might not always be necessary or beneficial.
The article implies that while fasting is deeply rooted in faith and tradition, there is value in being selective and mindful about the practice to ensure it contributes positively to one's health and well-being.

Fasting In India: 365 Days Of The Year

No day left for eating heartily: religious, cultural and social fasts rule each day.

Photo by Louis Hansel @shotsoflouis on Unsplash

In India when you go to meet your friends or relatives, someone or the other will declare that it is a day when she/he is on a fast.

I considered getting some friends together for a get together at my house. I gave a date for a Monday dinner. Since we had not met for a long time we decided to find out when each one was free to join.

Five out of the twenty I planned to invite said that they were on a Monday fast and if I could consider Tuesday as an optional day to invite friends.

I then asked everybody if Tuesday was suitable. Three people were on fast on Tuesday and seven of the others were pure vegetarian on that day and would not be able to enjoy a glass of vine either on that day. Others said that Tuesday was a liquid diet day so it should be avoided.

Every day in the week some of these people were fasting, so finally I was tired of the excuses and kept Sunday as the dinner day hoping that people would not be fasting at least on Sunday.

Just to let everyone know, India is a country where there are many religious and cultural and social fasts.

Weekday fasts:

Monday Fast: Women in India fast for getting a good husband and after marriage for the health of the husband. Monday fast is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is said that if you fast on sixteen Monday’s Lord Shiva will bless you.

On a lighter note-I asked someone who kept Monday fasts religiously if she had a good husband? She replied that her husband beat her black and blue but he was her husband after all and so she continued to fast for him.

Some other women I asked the same question. They said it was all luck because many of them had fasted but unfortunately they did not have good relations with their husbands.

Tuesday Fast: Tuesday fasts are associated with Hanuman. It is kept for prosperity. Many Indians are vegetarian on Tuesday even if they are not on a full fast. Some of them eat only once a day.

Wednesday Fast: The Wednesday fasting is for pleasing the planet mercury. It is to please Lord Vitthal who is the incarnation of Krishna. These Gods bring peace and happiness in the homes of people.

Thursday Fast: The most popular reason for a fast in India on Thursday is for Saibaba of Shirdi. He has many followers and they take pride on their Thursday fasting for his blessings.

Friday Fast: The Goddess Santoshi Mata and the planet Venus must be pleased on Friday, Then Goddess Lakshi will bestow you with wealth, peace and prosperity.

Saturday Fast: God Shani Maharaj provides happiness and wealth. If you are the kind who is accident prone then you must keep a fast on Saturday as it is going to be beneficial for you.

Sunday Fast: The fast on Sunday is for the Sun God. It gives you energy and positivity if you follow the ritual seriously every Saturday.

If people in India were all to keep a fast every day there would be no need to diet. Everybody would be slim and smart and young looking too.

The emergence of many new Godmen in the country has further pushed up the fasting scenario in India. Each Godman has his own preferred day of fasting and the procedure is also different. Some have a liquid diet fast, others have once a day food only and still, others do not eat wheat and rice on a fast day but can eat other things. Some eat only fruits.

Important Religious Fasts

Navratras: There are many important religious fasts too in the year. One of the famous ones is the Navratra which is fasting for nine days. This is twice a year. It is done with a lot of fanfare. It is a festive season when people are mostly vegetarian.

Holi Fast: Near the famous Holi festival of colours people fast to end evil and bring in happiness.

Ekadashi: This is an Indian word which means 11th day of the moon. There are two Ekadashi’s in a moon cycle during which people fast.

Ahoi: In this fast, the mother’s fast for their children. They pray for the prosperity of the children. This is done on the 8th day of the moon on a specific date each year according to the Indian month.

Karvachauth: Another Indian word and a very important fast when women fast without touching a morsel of food or drinking water. It is for the health of the husband. In return, the husband gives a gift to the wife. The fast is only broken after seeing the moon.

Ramzan: Every year for one month the Muslims fast. It is the month of introspection and prayer. They do not eat nor do they drink water during the day. It is considered to be a very sacred and special month of the year.

Lent: Christians in India fast for 40 days during Lent. This is observed just before Easter for six weeks. People do not eat non-vegetarian food during this period. This is the time of penance until the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The takeaways:

#1. Indians believe in fasting for different reasons. The most important reason for fasting is religious beliefs and the fear of God.

#2. The presence of God Men and the emergence of new schools of religious thought have increased the number of fasts during the year.

#3. Fasts are categorized as traditional fasts and the emergence of new types of fasts.

#4. Every day of the week somebody or the other is on a fast so it is very difficult to accommodate everyone.

#5. The goodness of fasts is that it clears the digestive system and helps it to balance its food needs. So we can attribute it to good health too.

#6. Penance and sacrifice are also attached to fasts and it makes people humble.

Conclusion:

Fasting is good for health and happiness but it should not be overdone as one loses nutrition and food value if it is done too often, without getting the benefits expected of it.

Ultimately, it is a country with too many fasts. If we were to count all the fasts there would actually be no day left when there is a missing day of fast. So fast judiciously and as long as it is necessary. Unnecessary fasts should be eliminated.