Devotees across India will observe Rohini Vrat, one of the most revered fasting rituals in Jainism, on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The vrat is dedicated to spiritual purification, self-discipline and the pursuit of inner peace, and is observed with fasting, meditation, prayer and charitable acts.

Rohini Vrat is considered especially significant among followers of the Jain faith. According to religious beliefs, observing the fast with devotion helps devotees cultivate virtues such as non-violence, truthfulness, compassion and detachment from material desires.

Why Rohini Vrat Is Observed

Rohini Vrat is associated with the Rohini Nakshatra and is observed on the day when this lunar constellation prevails, as prescribed in the Jain calendar.

The vrat is believed to promote spiritual progress rather than material gains. Jain scriptures describe it as a means to strengthen self-control, reduce attachment and accumulate positive karma through disciplined living.

Many devotees undertake the fast seeking peace, good health, family well-being and spiritual upliftment.

How Devotees Observe the Fast

The observance typically begins early in the morning with prayers and temple visits. Devotees worship the Tirthankaras, recite Jain scriptures, perform meditation and engage in Samayika (a period of spiritual contemplation and equanimity).

Depending on individual tradition and physical ability, devotees may observe a complete fast, consume only boiled water during permitted hours or eat a single simple meal prepared according to Jain dietary practices.

Many also avoid unnecessary travel, maintain silence for part of the day and devote time to religious discourses and scriptural study.

Charity and Compassion Remain Central

Apart from fasting, Rohini Vrat places strong emphasis on daan (charity) and compassion towards all living beings.

Devotees are encouraged to help the needy, support community welfare activities and practise Ahimsa (non-violence), which remains one of the central principles of Jain philosophy.

Religious leaders often remind followers that the true essence of the vrat lies not only in abstaining from food but also in cultivating purity of thought, speech and action.

Temple Observances

Jain temples in several cities are expected to organise special prayers, devotional gatherings and discourses explaining the spiritual significance of Rohini Vrat.

Many devotees will participate in collective worship and seek blessings from Jain monks and scholars, while others will observe the fast at home in accordance with family traditions.

Spiritual Message

Religious scholars say Rohini Vrat serves as a reminder that spiritual discipline and ethical living are the foundation of lasting happiness.

The annual observance encourages devotees to reflect on their actions, practise forgiveness and move closer to the Jain ideals of self-restraint and liberation through righteous conduct.

Millions of Shia Muslim devotees across the world are preparing to observe Arbaeen, one of the largest annual religious gatherings globally, with pilgrims travelling to the holy city of Karbala in Iraq to commemorate the sacrifice of Imam Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.

Arbaeen is observed 40 days after Ashura, marking the end of the mourning period for Imam Hussain and his companions, who were martyred in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. The occasion holds deep religious and spiritual significance for Shia Muslims and is also attended by many Sunni Muslims and followers of other faiths as a gesture of solidarity and respect.

Millions expected in Karbala

Every year, millions of pilgrims from Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, India, Lebanon, the Gulf countries, Europe, North America and several other regions converge on Karbala. Many undertake a journey on foot, covering hundreds of kilometres to reach the Imam Hussain Shrine, where special prayers and mourning ceremonies are held.

The pilgrimage is widely regarded as one of the largest peaceful religious gatherings in the world, often drawing crowds larger than many other global religious events.

Spiritual significance

For devotees, Arbaeen symbolises unwavering faith, sacrifice, justice and resistance against oppression. Imam Hussain's stand at Karbala is remembered as a timeless message of courage and moral integrity in the face of tyranny.

Pilgrims spend the day offering prayers, reciting elegies, reading religious texts and paying homage at the shrines of Imam Hussain and his half-brother Hazrat Abbas.

Walk of devotion

A defining feature of Arbaeen is the long pilgrimage on foot. Thousands of volunteers set up temporary service camps, known as Mawakib, along the routes leading to Karbala. These camps provide free meals, drinking water, medical assistance and accommodation to pilgrims throughout their journey.

The spirit of hospitality and selfless service is considered one of the hallmarks of the Arbaeen pilgrimage.

Extensive security arrangements

Given the massive influx of visitors, Iraqi authorities deploy thousands of security personnel and coordinate with health, transport and emergency services to ensure a safe pilgrimage. Additional transportation, medical facilities and crowd-management measures are put in place to accommodate millions of devotees arriving from across the world.

Message beyond religion

Religious scholars describe Arbaeen as a reminder of universal values such as justice, compassion, sacrifice and human dignity. The commemoration continues to inspire people across different communities by reinforcing the importance of standing against injustice and protecting fundamental human values.

As pilgrims gather in Karbala, the annual observance once again highlights faith, unity and remembrance, making Arbaeen one of the most significant events in the Islamic religious calendar.