The term Vrata means `religious vow` in Sanskrit. Vrata is performance of any ritual voluntarily over a particular period of time. Vrata signifies a set of rules and disciplines. The purpose of performing a Vrata is to appease a deity and fulfillment the wishes of the Vrati (the performer of the vrata). The whole process of the Vrata is performed with a `Sankalpa` or religious resolve, which is done on an auspicious day according to the Hindu almanac.

Thus to Hindus, the term Vrata denotes a religious practice to carry out certain obligations to achieve divine blessing for fulfillment of one or more desire.

A vrata consists of several actions, which include complete or partial fasting on certain or specific days, a pilgrimage or `Tirtha` to a particular space, a visit or `Darshan` and puja to a particular temple or many temples, recitation of mantras and prayers, performing puja or havens etc.

According to Hindu scriptures, a person can achieve his/her desires and get divine blessings through Vrata. The objects may be varied like recovering lost health and wealth, getting offspring, divine help and assistance during difficult period in one`s life. In ancient India Vratas had important significance in the life of individuals and still in the modern times a number of Hindus practice a number of Vrata.

There are certain rules of Vrata, which guides the whole process in order to preserve the sanctity of the ritual system. The rules are enough liberalized to embrace a large segment of the society as much as possible. The rules can be summarized as follows-
During the period of Vrata observation, one should keep oneself clean and pure, maintain chastity, speak the truth, practice patience, avoid non-vegetarian food and religiously observe all the rituals connected with that Vrata.
Once a new Vrata is undertaken, it should never be left unfinished nor a new one can be started before completing one. But one cannot start a Vrata during the `Ashaucha` caused by a birth or death in the family.
Persons who are too old or too sick to perform a Vrata, can ask other close relative to perform a Vrata on behalf of them.

Once the decision is taken to perform a Vrata, it can be commenced only as per the auspicious time, place and mode as directed in the Holy Scriptures.

Vrata can be of numerous types and variety depending on how they evolved. There are certain Vratas based on Purana-stories like `Kayika- Vrata`, `Vachika Vrata`, `Manasa Vrata`, `PayoVrata` etc; based on time like `Dina-Vrata`, `Vara-Vrata`, `Paksha-Vrata` etc; based on certain deities like `Satyanarayana- Vrata` for lord Vishnu, `Vara-Sidhhi-Vinayaka Vrata` for lord Ganesha, `Swarna-Gouri Vrata` for Devi Parvati etc. Ech and every Vrata have specific time and mode to observe as well as there are many interesting stories associated with each Vrata.