Ravivar Vrat (Sunday — Surya)
रविवार व्रत (सूर्य)
The Ravivar Vrat (रविवार व्रत) is kept on Sundays in honour of Lord Surya, the Sun God — the source of light, health, vitality and success. It is observed for good health (especially of the skin, eyes and bones), confidence, recovery from illness and to strengthen a weak Sun in the horoscope. The day begins by offering Arghya (water) to the rising sun, and devotees take a single meal of satvik food, avoiding salt.
Fasting Rules & Vidhi
Wake before sunrise, bathe, and offer Arghya — water from a copper vessel — to the rising Sun while chanting the Gayatri or Surya mantra.
Wear red or saffron clothes and take a Sankalp to keep the Sunday vrat (often for a fixed number of Sundays, e.g. 12).
Worship Surya with red flowers, akshata, kumkum and a ghee/sesame lamp; read or listen to the Ravivar Vrat Katha.
Recite the Aditya Hridaya Stotra and Surya Chalisa, and chant "Om Suryaya Namah" or "Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah" 108 times.
Keep a fast and eat only once, before sunset — satvik food without salt; many eat wheat or jaggery-based food and avoid oil.
Perform the Surya aarti, then break the fast. Practising Surya Namaskar adds to the vrat's benefit.
Significance & Story
Surya is the visible deity (pratyaksha devata) — the giver of life, health and energy, and the soul of the world (Atmakaraka). The Sunday vrat strengthens body and willpower, is recommended in Jyotish to bless a weak or afflicted Sun (linked to vitality, the father, authority and self-confidence), and the simple discipline of rising at dawn to offer water to the Sun is itself purifying. Avoiding salt and eating once trains restraint, while the red offerings and copper vessel reflect Surya's fiery, golden nature.