Shukravar Vrat: How to observe the Friday fast for Santoshi Mata and Lakshmi
Quick answer: The Friday fast is observed for the grace of Santoshi Mata and Lakshmi Mata. Wake before sunrise, bathe, wear white or yellow clothes and offer jaggery and gram (chana). Avoid all sour items — lemon, tamarind, curd — and do not let them enter the house on this day. On the fast eat jaggery-gram, sweet fruits and white sweets. In the evening read the katha and do aarti.
At a glance
- Deity
- Santoshi Mata, Maa Lakshmi
- Day
- Every Friday
- Offering
- Jaggery and gram
- Avoid
- Sour items — lemon, tamarind, curd
- Number of fasts
- 16 Fridays (traditional)
How to observe the fast — morning to evening
- Wake before sunrise. Drink water before brushing and then bathe.
- Wear clean white or yellow clothes.
- Light a lamp before an image of Santoshi Mata or Lakshmi.
- Offer jaggery and roasted gram — nothing sour at all.
- Read or listen to the Santoshi Mata katha.
- In the evening do aarti and distribute prasad.
- Eat once during the day — jaggery, gram, sweet fruits.
What not to do
- Do not let sour things — lemon, tamarind, dry mango powder, curd — enter the house.
- Do not let any family member eat sour food that day either.
- Avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food.
- Do not lie or quarrel during the fast.
The 16-Friday vow
The 16-Friday vow is kept for the fulfilment of a wish. Observe it on 16 consecutive Fridays.
On the 16th Friday do udyapan — feed poor children jaggery-gram and kheer.
The fast is considered incomplete without udyapan.
The number of fasts — 16, 21 or lifelong — depends on your wish. When the vow is complete, do udyapan — distribute jaggery and gram to poor children.
Frequently asked questions
Which goddess is worshipped on Friday?
Both Santoshi Mata and Maa Lakshmi are worshipped on Friday. The 16-Friday fast is for Santoshi Mata, and Friday Lakshmi puja is especially fruitful.
Why is sour food avoided on Friday?
By tradition, eating sour food on the Friday fast is said to displease Santoshi Mata. This is part of the purity rules of the vow.
What can be eaten during the Friday fast?
Jaggery, roasted gram, sweet fruits like banana and mango, coconut and white sweets can be eaten. Salt is usually avoided.