In Hinduism, every day has a different significance and is dedicated to some or another god or goddess. Worshipping your favorite deity on their particular day is believed to bring blessings and prosperity to your life. Sunday is dedicated to Lord Surya, or the Sun God. On this day, the Sunday fasting ritual is performed to worship the Surya Dev. Surya Dev is considered an important god in Hinduism. He is described as the king of gods, the light of the world, the creator of all things, the source of light, and the protector of all life. 

As per astrology, a person gets lots of happiness, prosperity, good fortune, health, and fame if their Kundali has a strong and auspicious Sun. On the other hand, if the Sun is weak or inauspicious in any other way, they receive the opposite outcome. They have to deal with a variety of difficulties in life. When the Sun is unfavorable, they run the risk of losing their dignity and respect, and they frequently encounter difficulties at work. 

By observing fast on Sunday, Sun God is very happy and showers his blessings on the person. By observing Sunday Vrat, all the planets stop giving their inauspicious results, which brings prosperity to the life of a person. It is believed that Ravivar Vrat helps people overcome problems brought on by the Sun. So let us know more about the Sunday fasting rituals as to why it is important, what the Sunday fasting benefits are, and what the proper Sunday fast vidhi is.

Before we delve into the Sunday fast Katha, let us have a look at all the days of the week and know related deities as well as their associated colors:

Ravivar Vrat Katha (Story)

There was an old woman in ancient times. She used to observe the Sunday fast regularly. On Sundays, the old woman used to wake up before sunrise, take a bath, and clean the courtyard of her house by coating it with cow dung. After that, she used to worship Surya Dev, offer food to the Sun God, and eat only once a day. By the grace of Lord Surya, that old woman had no worries or problems of any kind. By the grace of Lord Surya, her house was gradually getting filled with wealth and grains. 

Seeing that old woman happy and prosperous, her neighbor started getting jealous of her. The old woman did not have any cows. So she used to bring the dung of the cow tied in her neighbor's courtyard. But the neighbor thought something and tied her cow inside the house. On Sunday, the old woman could not plaster her courtyard due to not getting cow dung. Because she was not able to plaster the courtyard, that old woman did not offer food to Lord Surya and did not eat herself that day. When the sun set, the old woman slept hungry and thirsty. 

Know About: Today Panchang

At night, Lord Surya appeared to her in her dream and asked her the reason for not observing the fast and not offering food to him. The old lady told me in a very sad voice that her neighbor had tied her cow inside the house, and she was not able to get cow dung. Lord Surya, knowing the reason for the trouble of his devoted old lady, removed all her sorrows and said, “O mother, you worship me and observe fast every Sunday. I am very pleased with you, and I give you such a cow that will fill your house with wealth and grains. All your wishes will be fulfilled. There is a shower of wealth in the houses. 

After giving such blessings to the old lady in her dream, Lord Surya disappeared. When the elderly woman opened her eyes in the morning, just before sunrise, she was shocked to see a stunning cow and calf in her home's courtyard. The neighbor became more jealous after seeing the beautiful cow and calf tied in the courtyard of that old lady. Then the cow excreted golden dung. The neighbor was surprised to see the gold dung, and not finding that old lady around, she immediately picked up the dung, took it to her house, and left her cow's dung there. 

The neighbor became rich in a few days due to the golden dung. The cow used to excrete golden dung every day before sunrise, and the neighbor used to pick up that dung before the old lady woke up. For many days, the old lady did not know anything about the golden dung. The old lady kept Sunday Vrat for Lord Suryadev like before and recited the Sunday Vrat Aarti. But when Lord Surya came to know about the cunning behavior of the neighbor, he triggered an intense storm. Seeing the fury of the storm, the old lady tied the cow inside the house. 

Know About: Sunday Rahu Kaal Time

The old lady was shocked to see the golden dung when she woke up in the morning. That day onwards, the old woman began tying the cow inside the home. The old woman became very rich in a few days because of the golden dung. The neighbor became very jealous of the old woman's wealth, and she convinced her husband and sent him to the king of that city. When the king came to know about the cow that gave golden dung, he sent his soldiers and ordered them to bring the old woman's cow. 

The soldiers reached the old woman's house, untied the cow and the calf, and took them with them to the palace. The old woman requested the soldiers not to take the cow and her calf, but the king's soldiers did not listen. The old woman was very sad when the cow and the calf went away. She did not eat anything that day and kept praying to Lord Surya the whole night to return the cow and the calf. The king was very happy to see the beautiful cow. In the morning, when the king saw the golden dung, he was astonished. 

On the other hand, seeing the hungry and thirsty old woman praying like this, Lord Surya felt pity for her. That very night, Lord Surya said to the king in his dream, "O King! Return the old woman's cow and calf immediately. Otherwise, a mountain of troubles will fall on you. There will be an earthquake in your kingdom. Your palace will be destroyed." The king, frightened by Lord Surya's dream, returned the cow and calf to the old woman as soon as he woke up in the morning. 

The king also apologized to the old woman for his mistake by giving her a lot of money. The king also punished the neighbor and her husband for their wickedness. Then the king announced to the entire kingdom that all men and women should observe Sunday Vrat. By observing the Sunday fasting ritual, everyone's houses were filled with wealth and grains. Everyone's physical suffering was removed. Those who did not have children started getting sons, and everyone in the kingdom started living a happy life.

Significance of Sunday Fasting

Sunday fast has a special significance. By observing the Sunday fasting ritual properly, all the troubles coming into a person's life are destroyed. By observing Ravivar Vrat with complete devotion, all the wishes of a person are fulfilled.

• According to Vedic literature, practicing Ravivar Vrat can assist people in having a long, happy, healthy life filled with plenty of energy.
• Observing the Sunday fast can help devotees with heart, digestion, blood circulation, concentration, and other health problems that may arise from having a weak Sun in their horoscope.
• Moreover, it assists individuals in resolving issues with childbirth, job failure, unstable finances, etc.
• Observing the Sunday Vrat also aids in the devotees' recovery from numerous other illnesses, including problems with their eyes. It also instills optimism and raises one's degree of confidence in their ability to finish tasks successfully. 
• In Hinduism, the sun is regarded as the most significant and powerful star. For those whose birth chart has the Sun placed in a maleficent position, the Ravivar Vrat is incredibly beneficial. It aids in clearing the horoscope of many ailments. 
• When there is a combination of Hasta or Punarvasu nakshatra on Sunday, then one should take a bath with holy water mixed with Sarvoshidhi. One who takes a bath on such a Sunday does not suffer from disease in seven births.
• If the day of Sankranti is Sunday, then it is considered holy Aditya Hridya. By observing Nakta Vrat on that day or a Sunday with Hasta Nakshatra for 1 year, a person gets everything.
• The Ravivar Vrat is also very important in reducing the effect of the inauspicious position of planets and getting auspicious results.
• It is also beneficial to observe Sunday fasting vidhi regularly to increase self-confidence and self-esteem.

Know About: Today Gowri Panchangam

Sunday Fast Vidhi

Starting the Sunday fasting ritual on the first Sunday of the Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month (September to October) is believed to be auspicious. The Sunday Vrat is auspicious and should be followed for 12 or even 30 Sundays in a row.

• On Sunday, wake up early in the morning, have a shower, and put on clean clothes to worship the Sun God. It is best to wake up in Brahma Muhurta.
• Offer water to Lord Sun at sunrise. While offering water, add red flowers, whole rice, and milk.
• Prepare the material for the worship of the Sun God in the morning itself. For worship, pure water, red flowers, red clothes, fruits, saffron, jaggery, wheat, incense, lamp, cloves, milk, sugar, Ganga water, betel leaf, betel nut, ghee, camphor, moli (Kaleva or lachcha), flower garland, cotton, durva, red sandalwood, oleander (kanail) flower, red sandalwood, gulal, and copper urns are required.
• It is very important that you worship the sun god in the morning.
• Keep chanting the Sunday Vrat Aarti and mantras during worship.
• On Ravivar Vrat, wheat roti, porridge, milk, curd, ghee, and things made from sugar should be consumed. Eat roti, halwa, kheer, puri, etc. Eat food only once a day and night. 
• The person observing the fast should remain without food the whole day and worship the Sun God in the evening before sunset. After the worship, one should eat fruits or food before sunset.
• Lay the courtyard of the house with cow dung, install a copper statue or photo of Lord Sun God there, and worship. If there is no courtyard in the house, then worship can be done in the house as well. (The use of cow dung depends on you.)
• At the end of the worship, havan should be done with jaggery mixed with ghee.
• In the evening, before sunset, offer arghya to the Sun God again, and at the end of the worship, do the aarti of the Sun God.
• After worshipping the Sun God, listen to the Sunday fast story.
• After reading and listening to the Sunday fast story, reciting Shri Surya Kavacham, Shri Surya Stuti, and Surya Stotram gives quick Sunday fasting benefits.

Know About: Today's Horai Timings

Do's and Don'ts of Ravivar Vrat

Observing Ravivar Vrat, or Sunday fast, is an important ritual in Hinduism dedicated to worshiping Lord Surya. This Sunday fasting ritual is believed to bring blessings, prosperity, and health to the devotee. Here are some important do's and don'ts to keep in mind while observing Sunday Vrat:

Do's:

1. It is essential to wake up early and start the day with purity and devotion.
2. Taking a bath before performing the rituals is considered auspicious and signifies the purification of the body and mind.
3. It is customary to clean the courtyard of your house as a way to prepare for the worship of Surya Dev.
4. Offer prayers and worship Lord Surya with dedication and devotion. You can light incense, offer water, and perform the rituals with reverence.
5. It is advised to eat only one meal during the day as part of the fasting ritual.
6. Reciting the story and Sunday Vrat Aarti dedicated to Surya Dev, is an important part of observing the fast.
7. Use this day to practice kindness and compassion and engage in positive deeds.

Don'ts:

1. As a part of the fast, it is important to abstain from consuming multiple meals or snacks throughout the day.
2. It is customary to maintain a vegetarian diet on the day of the fast.
3. Maintaining a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere is important during the fast.
4. Refrain from consuming alcohol or any kind of intoxicating substance; it is essential to maintain purity and discipline during the fast.
5. Do not skip the rituals and prayers dedicated to Surya Dev on this day, consistency and dedication to the rituals are important for the efficacy of the fast.

Know About: Shubh Puja Muhurat Today

Sunday fasting benefits

The Ravivar Vrat is observed in honor of the Sun God. On this day, those who fast receive blessings from the Sun God. You can reap the following Sunday fasting benefits by reciting the Sunday Vrat Aarti and mantra, which is Aditya, a holy song sung in honor of the sun god. 

• Observing the Sunday vrat lessens the impact of the sun's ill-positioning in the birth chart or the severity of its affliction.
• You can become free from sin on this day if you fast. 
• Sunday fasting also eliminates a number of illnesses. 
• It is believed that this fast will help you develop a bright temperament, a sharp mind, and good health. 
• Following the Sunday fasting ritual, you will have happiness in your family. 
• The Sunday Vrat also provides freedom from suffering and anxiety. 
• Observing the Ravivar vrat diminishes the impact of a poorly positioned Sun, Sun Dasa Bhukti, or a weak Sun in the natal chart.
• The Sunday fast encourages the development of a positive outlook, a keen mind, and good health.

Know About: Satyanarayan Vrat Date

Final Takeaway

In Hinduism, Sunday fasting, or Ravivar Vrat, is a highly respected custom that is kept to honor Lord Surya and ask for his blessings for wealth and well-being. Devotees show their respect and love for the Sun God and ask for his divine grace in their lives by keeping rituals, praying, and fasting. The holy books of Hinduism state that worshiping the sun and performing the Sunday vrat bring good fortune and help in the recovery of numerous serious illnesses.