Chaturmas, also known as Chatur Masam or Chatur Maas Vrat, lasts for four months. It starts the day after Deva Sayana Ekadasi in the Ashada month and ends on Utthana Ekadasi in the Kartik month. In 2025, Chaturmas will begin on July 6 and end on November 2. This period is very important for many Hindu communities. It is a time for prayers, rituals, and worship, so events like weddings and house warming ceremonies are not held.

Chaturmas is not widely observed in Kerala and somewhat in Tamil Nadu.

Chaturmas starts on the Ekadasi day during the Shukla Paksha in Ashada and ends on the Ekadasi day in the Shukla Paksha in Kartik.

The Four Holy Months of Chaturmas. The four months are:

• Shravan
• Bhadrapada
• Ashwin
• Kartik

Importance of Chaturmas

Chaturmas is significant in Hindu scriptures. According to the Hindu calendar, each year on Devshayani Ekadashi in Ashadha month, Lord Vishnu goes to rest in the Ksheer Sagar and wakes up on Devuthani Ekadashi in Kartik month. This four-month resting period is called Chaturmas.

It is believed that no auspicious activities like weddings, engagements, or hair ceremonies are done during Chaturmas. Instead, it is a good time for performing prayers, singing devotional songs, and other spiritual activities. Many believe that Lord Shiva oversees the universe during this time. 

So, let's learn about the dates for Chaturmas in 2025 and what activities should be done or avoided during this period.

Chaturmas 2025: What to Do

• During the four months of Chaturmas, it is important to wake up before sunrise each day, take a bath, and pray to Lord Vishnu. The month of Saavan is special for worshiping Lord Shiva, so spend a lot of time singing devotional songs. You should worship both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu throughout Chaturmas.
• Worship and fasting are very important during this time. It is believed that by praying to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and reciting Vishnu Sahasranama and Shiv Chalisa, all your wishes will be granted.
• During Chaturmas, eat food served on a leaf plate instead of a thali. Donating lamps, clothes, and food is a good deed during these months. It is also recommended to practice celibacy during Chaturmas.
• Planting a Peepal tree is considered a good action because it is believed to be the home of Lord Vishnu. You should perform Sandhya Aarti every evening and wear a new sacred thread. Besides Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahadev, you can also worship Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Radha Krishna, and your ancestors.
• During this time, chant the mantra "Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevay" for Lord Vishnu and "Om Namah Shivay" for Lord Shiva. Pray to them for your wishes to come true.

Chaturmas 2025: What Not to Do

Chaturmas starts on Devshayani Ekadashi in the month of Ashadh and ends on Prabodhini Ekadashi in the month of Kartik. There are certain things you should avoid during this time:

• Do not hold any special events like weddings, hair cutting ceremonies, or housewarming parties. Avoid eating green leafy vegetables, pulses, yogurt, milk, or any tamasic food like garlic, onions, meat, or fish.
• Do not drink alcohol or consume foods like oil, brinjal, honey, radish, parwal, or jaggery during these four months. 
• Do not cut your beard or mustache. Sleep on the ground instead of a bed or cot, and avoid eating from copper vessels. Doing these things might bring problems your way.