keeping a fast is an integral tradition of Indian culture that has a religious, spiritual and as well as a scientific significance attached to it. Tradition of fasting is popularly known as ‘Vart’ and ‘Upavaas’, in which a person abstains oneself from eating food or certain food, drinks and sometimes both. The duration of fasting can last long for 24hours, surprisingly there are some states of India where people keep fasting for more than 24hours and follow a very strict conduct. The reason behind this tradition of fasting are many; as per the Hindu religious scriptures fasting is a way to create a harmony between the body and the soul. The word ‘Upavaas’ is a combination of two terms ‘Upa’ means nearer to God and ‘Vaas’ means to stay in the remembrance. Thus upavaas means to stay nearer and in remembrance of God. Fasting according to the religion point of view helps the person to refrain the five senses from worldly/materialistic desires and to direct them in the pursuit of true bliss, happiness and enlightenment. Fasting is an intrinsic part of religious activities that also inculcates self-discipline and self-control in a person. There are many religious occasions/festivals when Indian keeps fasting such as Maha-Shivraatri, Janmashtami, Karwachaut, Basant Panchami, Purnima, Ekadashi, Kartik Paksha, Navratra, Hanumaan Jayanti for varied reasons. The people of India have varied reasons for fasting, some keep fasting as a worship of deities for the fulfillment of their wishes, few believe that fasting is a good way to detoxifying the body since on fasting one is only allowed to eat fruits which work as the antioxidants for the body. Whereas some keep fasting in order to attain higher spiritual enlightenment by disciplining the mind and intellect and by disciplining the five senses.
