Harivasar Vrat Of Mithila: Almost every fast and festival is celebrated in Mithila region of Bihar, but the four-day Harivasar Vrat, which is being observed from November 11 after about 26 years, is considered to be the most difficult and rare fast in Mithila region. It mainly consists of a waterless fast of two days and two nights, i.e. 48 hours. Also, food is consumed only once (one Bhukta) a day before and a day after the fast.

This fast lasts for a total of 4 days or about 96 hours. This is a very difficult fast. It is not observed every year, it is observed only when the time comes, but the time for this fast is also rare. Generally, in a person's lifetime, except for some exceptions, this Harivasar fast occurs only two to three times.  

When will Ekadashi and Harivasar fast be observed?

According to Astrologer Daivagya Pandit Kamalnath Jha, resident of Rupauli village, this fast is mainly prevalent in Mithila. The main reason for this Harivasar fast being observed by the people of Mithila, apart from other regions, is that this fast is extremely difficult. People of other regions generally cannot muster up such courage. But since India is a land of penance, it is possible that people of other regions also observe this fast, but this fast is quite popular among the people of Mithila.

According to Pandit Kamal Nath Mishra, this time the fast of Devotthan Ekadashi of Kartik month is on Tuesday, 12 November 2024, and along with this fast, Harivasar Yoga has been applied on the next day i.e. Dwadashi. That is, Ekadashi-Dwadashi will be a continuous two day and two night Nirjala fast and Parana will be done after sunrise on Thursday, 13 November. Earlier this fast was observed on 22 September 1999 Bhadra Shukla Dwadashi, Wednesday. After that, this year the fast will be as follows.

11 November 2024, Monday: Ekbhukta
12 November 2024, Tuesday: Devotthan Ekadashi and Nirjala Vrat
13 November 2024, Wednesday: Harivasar Nirjala Vrat
14 November 2024, Thursday: After sunrise from 6:40 am to 7:50 am (Paran)

How will this fast be observed?

Acharya Pandit Ranjeshwar Jha said that this year Harivasal is falling on Devotthan Ekadashi (Tuesday, November 12) after almost 26 years. Due to rare yoga and favorable weather, this year a large number of Maithil people are expected to observe this Harivasal fast. This time this fast will start from November 11 and will be observed till November 14. On November 11, the first fasting person will eat food only once in the day and night.

The next two days, on 12th and 13th November, they will observe a 48-hour Nirjala Vrat. Again on 14th November, the fasting person will break his fast by consuming Tulsi leaves and water between 6:40 am and 7:50 am. Also, on that day too, the fasting person will consume food only once in the day and night combined. Thus, this fast lasts for a total of 4 days or about 96 hours, in which the fasting person will not consume even water for two days and two nights and will eat only once a day, one day before and one day after the fast.

The devotees are freed from every sin and trouble

This Harivasar Vrat has come after many years. Although this fast is very difficult, it gives endless virtues. It is said in Mithila that every person should observe Harivasar Vrat three times in his life, so that he gets rid of all sins, sufferings and problems and attains bliss and salvation.