Observing Hindu Vrat during Menstrual Period - Rules During Monthly Menstruation

There are so many women who have doubt regarding observing Vrat during monthly menstrual periods. Such doubts arise when Navratri, Ekadasi, Pradosh, Sankashti Chaturthi, Karva Chauth etc falls during the monthly period. It gets even more complicated when women observe Solah Somvar Vrat, Solah Shukravar Vrat etc.

The general rule is not to count the vrat day. Do observe a fast, but don't worship God and perform puja on that particular day. This is applicable when observing solah somavar vrat etc or every month vrat or every week Vrata.

That is if you have your periods during Solah Shukravar Vrat or other such vrats you have to do the vrat a day more. The vrat on the period day is not counted. (For example if it is a sixteen Monday vrat then it becomes a 17 Monday vrat as the one during the period is not counted.)

In case of Ekadasi, Pradosh, Sankashti, Karva Chauth etc you can perform the vrat but without doing pujas. Someone in the house can do the puja instead of you.

Another question is what if you get periods on the vrat day. The same rule is applied. Stop doing pujas etc but do the fast.

During Navratri you can keep the fast and worship the deity. If there are people at home you can ask them to do the puja instead of you.

(The above said is not a personal opinion...it is the general rule followed by Hindu communities.)

My personal opinion is that what matters is devotion not rituals and rules. Whatever you are doing do with utmost devotion. Body always has the presence of Supreme Being.

Avoid conflict in the matter with elders and those who are not on the same page with you.

Keep quiet do your puja and vrat in the way you like to do on the day. Avoid taking opinion of others. You are never wrong as long as you are doing with utmost devotion.

Always remember Sri Krishna's hunger was satisfied by the sweat drenched and unclean poha given by Kuchela. Kuchela gave it with utmost devotion that is all what the Lord needs. Shiva was satisfied a single drop of water that accidently fell on the Shivling.

Additional Update

Menstruation and Tradition: Beliefs, Restrictions, and Scriptures

1. Popular Beliefs and Restrictions

According to popular belief, during menstruation, a woman’s body experiences a higher flow of energy—an energy so powerful that even God supposedly cannot bear it.

• It is said that if a woman waters a Tulsi (holy basil) plant during this time, the plant will wither. Hence, this act is forbidden.

• It is also commonly believed that on the fifth day of menstruation, after washing one's hair, one may perform puja (worship) again.

2. Menstruation During Worship or Fasting

What if menstruation begins during a fast or on a day of worship?

• It is said that even if one is fasting, it is better not to perform puja in that state.

• However, if one continues the fast without performing the ritual, the spiritual benefit will still be received.

3. The Evidence in Ancient Scriptures

When looking at the most ancient texts, a different picture emerges:

• The Upanishads: Nowhere in the Upanishads is there any discrimination between men and women. None of these restrictions exist there. The scriptures contain nothing of this sort.

• The Mahabharata: The central incident in the Mahabharata is actually related to menstruation—Draupadi’s disrobing took place during that time. If you consider this, the epic has no hesitation or shame about menstruation.

• Vedic Figures: Earlier figures like Gargi, Lopamudra, and Apala all regularly performed yajnas (sacrificial rituals). There is no record anywhere of them being barred because of menstruation.

4. The Origin of Restrictions

At least in the Vedas and Upanishads, no such rule exists.

It was only later, when the Brahmins began asserting Brahminical authority, that the Smriti Shastras (later scriptures) introduced these specific rules.