The Chaturmasya Vrata (meaning "the vow of four months") holds great significance in the spiritual calendar of Hindu monks and saints, known as Sannyasis . It is a period of spiritual discipline and observances that coincide with the monsoon season, during which wandering Sannyasis remain in one place, focusing on intense spiritual practices, teachings, and communal engagement. This tradition has been preserved for millennia, emphasizing self-discipline, scriptural study, and moral conduct. Origins and Importance Historically, Sannyasis were wandering mendicants, traveling from one place to another, spreading spiritual teachings. However, the rainy season (typically from July to October in India) posed challenges to their travel. Moving around in the rain would often lead to harm to the environment, such as trampling on plants, insects, and small creatures. This period of monsoon, or Chaturmasya (the four-month rainy period), was an ideal time for them to pause their journe...

Chaturmas Vrat, or Chatur Masam or Chaturmasya or Chatur Maas Vrat, is observed for a period of four months and it begins from the day after  Deva Sayana Ekadasi in Ashada month and ends on Utthana Ekadasi in Kartik Month. Chaturmas 2025 dates are from July 6 and ends on November 2. It is of great importance to many Hindu communities. The months are dedicated to prayers, rituals and worships and therefore marriages, griha pravesh and other similar functions are not observed. Chaturmas is ignored in Kerala and to a certain extent in Tamil Nadu. Chaturmas begins on the Ekadasi day in Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashada and ends on the Ekadasi in the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. The Four Holy Hindu Months of Chaturmas The four months are: Shravan  Bhadrapada Ashwin  Karthik  It is believed that celestial beings and saints do not move around in the universe. They stay stationed at one place and perform Tapas and intense austerities. There is ...

Chaturmas is the four months of the monsoon season in Hinduism in which strict austerity is observed and four kinds of rituals are performed. The four rituals are Vaisvadeva Parvan, Varuna Pra Ghasa Parvan, Saka Medha Parvan and Sunasiriya Parvan. These rituals are formulated in Vedic texts and in Srauta Sutra. Though these rituals form a part of Rajsuya, they have separately formulated and they are performed independently. Apastamba proclaims that the punya (merit) obtained by the performance of these rituals is imperishable, and hence everlasting. These rituals are started in the first month. In Vaisvadeva Parvan, eight deities are worshipped by making offerings and oblations. They are Agni, Soma, Savitr, Pusana, Saraswati, Maruti, Vishvadevah (group of gods) and Dyava Prithvi. Because Vishwadevah are worshipped as the main deity, this ritual gets the name Vaishvadeva Parvan. The Varuna Pra Ghasa Parvan is performed in a twin altar ritual ground (north and south). In this ritua...

Devutthana Agyaras marks the end of the Chatur Maas in Gujarat . Devutthi Agiyaras is observed on the Shukla Paksha Ekadasi day in Kartik Month. Devutthana Agiyaras 2025 date is on November 2. The popular belief is that the period of four month in which Vishnu was asleep ends on Devutthana Agyaras. Certain Vishnu temples especially those dedicated to Vitthal – Rukmini organize processions to mark the Devutthana Agyaras. Marriages and most auspicious ceremonies which were not held for four months starting from Dev Podhi Agiyaras day (Ashada Shukla Ekadasi) begins from Devutthana Agyaras. Numerous rituals, fasting and abstention followed by many Hindu communities come to an end on Devutthana Agiyaras. The day of great significance to staunch worshippers of Lord Vishnu. 

Dadhi Vrata is observed during the second month of the Chaturmas and is followed mainly in South India by certain Hindu communities. The month long Vrata is dedicated to Srihari Vishnu. Dadhi Vrata begins on the 12th day of the Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in Shravan Month. Dadhi Vrata in 2025 begins on August 6 and ends on September 3. During this one month food prepared using curd are avoided by Hindu communities that observe the Chaturmasya Vrata. The Vrata begins on the Shukla Paksha Dwadashi in Shravan month. The day is after the famous Putrada Ekadasi.  Dadhi Vrata is part of the Chaturmasya Vrata. All food made from yoghurt and curd is avoided in the month. The Vrata ends on the Shukla Paksha Ekadasi in Bhadrapad month. This is the Parivartini Ekadasi. The belief is that the four month Chaturmas Vrat is kept to flush out toxins and regain health. This is the reason why certain particular food items are avoided during the four months. Th...

Gopadma Vrata is dedicated to the worship of cows and is observed during the Chaturmasya – the four holy months in Hinduism. Gopadma Vratham starts on Devshayani Ekadasi in Ashada Month and ends on Utthana Ekadasi in Kartik Month. Gopadma Vrata 2025 begins on July 6 – the day when the Chaturmas Vrat begins for many Hindu communities - and ends on November 2 - the next day of Utthana Ekadasi. The importance of Gopadma Vrata is mentioned in the Aditya Purana. Cow is worshipped by many people and Go Mata puja is of great significance to many devout Hindus. During the period of Chaturmas, cattle sheds are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with kolams (Rangoli). After thoroughly cleaning the cattle, they are given Prasad and are worshipped along with Lord Vishnu. It must be noted that Gopadma is also an auspicious sign drawn on Rangoli.

Devo Podhi Agiyaras marks the beginning of the Chatur Maas in western parts of India especially in  Gujarat and Maharashtra . It begins on the Shukla Paksha Ekadasi day in Ashada Month and ends on the Shukla Paksha Ekadasi day in Kartik Month. Dev Podhi Agiyaras 2025 date is on July 6. The popular belief is that the period of four months is when Vishnu goes to sleep. Certain Vishnu temples especially those dedicated to Vitthal – Rukmini organize processions to mark the Dev Podhi Agiyaras. Marriages and most auspicious ceremonies are not held from the Dev Podhi Agiyaras day till the end of the Chatur Masa. In 2025, Devo Podhi Agiyaras ends on November 2.

Shaka Vrata is observed mainly in South India by certain Hindu communities and is dedicated to Srihari Vishnu. Shaka Vrata is a month long ritual and begins on the 11 th day of the Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in Ashada Month. Shaka Vrata in 2026 begins on July 25. Shaka Vrata ending date is August 23. The Vrata begins on the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi in Ashada month. This is the famous Devshayani Ekadashi and the Chaturmasya Vrata also begins on the day. The Vrata ends on the Shukla Paksha Ekadasi in Shravan month. This is the Putrada Ekadasi. The popular belief is that Srihari Vishnu enters into a deep slumber on Devshayani Ekadashi – the night time of Devas. There is no fasting associated with the Shaka Vrata. People follow a strict vegetarian diet. Related Chaturmasya Vrata