{"id":25972,"date":"2026-06-24T19:41:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T14:11:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.starstell.com\/blog\/?p=25972"},"modified":"2026-06-24T19:48:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T14:18:05","slug":"chaturmas-2026-dates-rituals-and-fasting-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.starstell.com\/blog\/chaturmas-2026-dates-rituals-and-fasting-guidelines\/","title":{"rendered":"Chaturmas 2026: Dates, Rituals, and Fasting Guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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In Hinduism, the period dedicated to introspection, chanting, and meditation is known as Chaturmas. The term is derived from two words\u2014*Chatur* and *Mas*\u2014signifying a duration of four months. During this period, Lord Vishnu (Shri Hari) enters a state of deep slumber; however, He remains aware of every activity taking place. Due to His state of *Yog Nidra* (divine yogic sleep), certain specific activities are prohibited during this time.<\/p>

This period begins on Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi\u2014also known as Devshayani Ekadashi\u2014and continues until Kartik Shukla Ekadashi. Practices such as chanting, penance, worship, fasting, and spiritual discipline hold great significance during this time. Let us first understand when Chaturmas begins and what its significance is.<\/p>

When will Chaturmas begin?<\/strong><\/p>

This period\u2014dedicated to charity, worship, and maintaining inner balance\u2014will commence on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi, July 15, 2026, and conclude on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, November 12, 2026. It is believed that on Devshayani Ekadashi, following the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean), Lord Vishnu enters a state of cosmic slumber (Yoga Nidra) in the Kshir Sagar (Ocean of Milk). Meanwhile, Gopashtami marks the day Lord Krishna worshipped Govardhan Hill, and it also signifies the end of Chaturmas. Discipline and spirituality hold special significance during this period. Acts such as donating food grains, serving cows, making temple donations, and participating in *bhajan-kirtan* (devotional singing) during Chaturmas are believed to yield spiritual merit.<\/p>

Learn why Lord Vishnu enters a state of *Yoganidra* (divine slumber) during *Chaturmas*.<\/strong><\/p>

According to mythology, Bali\u2014the son of the demon king Virochana\u2014once earned immense merit by performing the *Ashwamedha Yajna*. He became arrogant about this achievement; indeed, his stature had risen above that of all other demons and gods. During this period, powerful demons seized the throne from Indra. Indra narrated the entire situation to Lord Vishnu and sought his assistance. Upon learning of the plight, Lord Vishnu promised to help. He incarnated as *Vamana* (the dwarf avatar) and, by placing his foot on Bali’s head and measuring the earth, the heavens, and the netherworld in just three strides, he deprived Bali of his dominion. However, in recognition of Bali’s generosity, Lord Vishnu granted him the kingdom of *Patala Loka* (the netherworld) and asked him to choose a boon. King Bali requested that the Lord reside in his realm, accompanied by Goddess Lakshmi, for one-third of every year. True to his word, Lord Vishnu fulfilled King Bali’s wish. Consequently, Lord Vishnu spends four months of the year\u2014known as *Chaturmas*\u2014in *Yoganidra*. During this period, practices such as maintaining inner balance, chanting (*Japa*), meditation, and worship hold special significance.<\/p>

Fasting guide during Chaturmas:<\/strong><\/p>

First Chaturmas<\/p>

According to religious scriptures, observe the *Shaak Vrat* (abstinence from certain greens) during the first phase. Consequently, one should avoid consuming green vegetables. Due to the monsoon season, there is a risk of leafy vegetables being infested with insects or worms. Avoid eating spinach, fenugreek (*methi*), and mustard greens during this period. However, you may include coriander, cauliflower, and curry leaves in your diet.<\/p>

Second Chaturmas<\/p>

During this period, one should avoid consuming items made from curd (yogurt). Due to the rainy weather, curd-based products spoil quickly and are prone to fungal growth, which increases the risk of digestive issues. Therefore, one should abstain from buttermilk (chaas), lassi, plain curd, and *shrikhand*. This phase is also known as Dadhi Vrat (abstinence from curd).<\/p>

Third Chaturmas<\/p>

In the third month, one should abstain from consuming milk and milk-based products. Avoid items such as milk, *kheer* (rice pudding), *paneer* (cottage cheese), *thandai*, milkshakes, custards, and puddings. It is believed that the health of livestock undergoes changes during the rainy season; consequently, dairy products prepared from their milk may be harmful to health. Observing the *Dugdha Vrat* (abstinence from milk) during this time is considered beneficial.<\/p>

Fourth Chaturmas<\/p>

During the fourth phase, one should avoid consuming *moong* (green gram), *moth* (dew gram), *urad* (black gram), and *chana* (Bengal gram) lentils. It is believed that the consumption of pulses is not advisable during this time. One should also avoid foods that yield oil when ground or crushed. Such items are known to aggravate Kapha (mucus\/phlegm) in the body and should be avoided.<\/p>

To know more about Chaturmas 2026,\u00a0talk to our astrologers now!<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

For more, find us on\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Instagram<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Hinduism, the period dedicated to introspection, chanting, and meditation is known as Chaturmas. The term is derived from two words\u2014*Chatur* and *Mas*\u2014signifying a duration of four months. During this… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":25974,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3884],"tags":[4655,4659,4661,4666,4663],"class_list":["post-25972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-chaturmas-2026-dates","tag-chaturmas-fasting-guidelines","tag-chaturmasa-2026","tag-chaturmasa-2026-dates","tag-chaturmasa-dates"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.starstell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25972","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.starstell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.starstell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.starstell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.starstell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25972"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.starstell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25972\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25977,"href":"https:\/\/www.starstell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25972\/revisions\/25977"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.starstell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25974"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.starstell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25972"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.starstell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25972"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.starstell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}