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Traditional story (retold)
Part 1: The Old Woman and the Plastering with Cow Dung
The katha is that an old woman, every Sunday, would plaster her house with cow dung, worship Surya Dev and cook food. Her neighbour began to burn with jealousy at giving her the cow's dung.
Part 2: The Neighbour's Jealousy
The neighbour tied the cow inside her own house so that the old woman got no dung and she stayed hungry that Sunday.
Part 3: Surya Dev's Grace
The old woman prayed with faith. Surya Dev was pleased and made a cow and calf appear in her courtyard. The neighbour realised her mistake. From that time the tradition of the Sunday vrat is held.
Thus ends the complete Ravivar Vrat Katha
At a glance
• Deity: Surya Dev
• When: Every Sunday
• Fast: One meal before sunset, without salt
• Special: Red clothes and arghya to the Sun
• Main lesson: Discipline, truth and faith
Introduction and significance
The Sunday vrat is kept for the worship of Surya Dev. In tradition the Sun is regarded as the symbol of good health and radiance. It is usually kept for 12 Sundays or for a whole year.
For an astrological decision, show your kundli to a knowledgeable person.
When it is observed
• Every Sunday, especially beginning from the Shukla Paksha.
Puja samagri
• A picture or idol of Surya Dev
• A copper lota, water, red sandalwood, red flowers
• Jaggery, wheat, a ghee lamp
• Incense, akshat
Vrat vidhi
1. Bathe in the morning and wear red clothes.
2. Put water, red sandalwood and flowers in a copper lota and offer arghya to the Sun.
3. Chant the Surya mantra.
4. Listen to the katha and perform the aarti.
5. Take one meal in the day, before sunset, without salt.
Udyapan vidhi
On the last Sunday worship the Sun and donate wheat, jaggery and clothes.
Do's
• Offer water at sunrise.
• Donate jaggery and wheat.
• Practise restraint.
Don'ts
• Avoid salt, oil and tamasic food.
• Avoid anger and lies.
• Do not eat after sunset.
Benefits (as believed)
It is believed that the Sunday vrat is kept wishing for good health and radiance. It is not a substitute for medical care; in illness take a doctor's advice.
Mantras and aarti
• Mantra: "Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah", "Om Suryaya Namah"
• The recitation of the Aditya Hridaya Stotra is also done in tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: For how many Sundays should the Sunday vrat be kept?
A: Generally 12 Sundays or one year.
Q: Can one eat salt on Sunday?
A: In tradition, saltless food is eaten on the vrat day.
Q: How should arghya be offered to the Sun?
A: Offer water from a copper lota at sunrise and chant the mantra.
Q: Which colour is used on Sunday?
A: Red or pink.
Q: What if there is a health problem?
A: Fast only on a doctor's advice.
Precautions
Take care of your health while fasting and consult a doctor if needed. This katha is a retelling of a traditional story. The method and the form of the katha differ by region.