In Indian tradition, a Hindu marriage introduces the rights and responsibilities of husband and wife towards each other. According to a traditional Indian concept, husband is the earner and protector of the family while the wife is responsible for proper care, nurturing, education and continuity of cultural heritage of the family for future generations. A Hindu women keep various fast to show her respect and affection for her husband and pray for a healthy and prosperous marital life. Some of the most important fasting days are as follows :

Karwa Chauth

The most popular and important day for all Hindu married women. It has an extraordinary observance rate in India. The fast of Karwa Chauth is undertaken by married woman seeking the welfare and prosperity of their husbands. Karwa chauth is mostly celebrated in North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi and many others.

Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is a day in Indian tradition to recall the legendary tale of the Shiv lingam and the legends and beliefs associated with Shivratri. This festival is celebrated by all married women. But, now-a-days, unmarried girls are also celebrating this festival to get a perfect match. It is celebrated throughout the country. Some of the Indian states that keep the fast of MahaShivratri include Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Maharastra.

Gangaur

Gangaur festival is held about a fortnight after Holi in honor of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. Young girls, wend their way to the temple of Gauri (Parvati) for the ceremonial bath of the deity who is then bedecked with flowers. This festival is mainly celebrated in West Bengal, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Varalakshmi Vratham

Varalakshmi Vratham pooja is performed by married women of South Indian states, ir, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharastra. There is no restriction of caste and creed for celebrating this festival.

Vat-Savitri Puja

Vat-Savitri puja os observed on “Vata Poornima”, the full moon day of Jyestha. According to the traditional belief, this is a day to honour the Banyan tree and Savitri. Savitri was the legendary chaste wife who fought with death to recover the life of her husband.

This fast is mainly observed in Bihar, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and orissa.

Teej

Teej is a festival displaying the religiously participation of married women in the rituals. Women observe this fast in order to achieve an effective marital life. The word 'fasting' emerged out of the Sanskrit word 'Upasana', which itself means to move near to the Supreme. All the women of Rajasthan, Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh keep the fast of Teej.

Karadaiyan Nombu

It is an extremely important festival for married women in Southern region of India. The festival of Karadaiyan Nombu is known for its religious and philosophical connotations. Nonbu is to observe certain norms and offer our prayers accordingly. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh are the main states in which the festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor.