Fasting, also known as Upavas or Vrat in Hindu Dharma, is voluntarily abstaining from foods or certain foods for a certain period. Fasting has both physical and spiritual benefits.
In Hinduism, seven days of the week are dedicated to some deity. Many Hindus believe that certain days of the week are dedicated to a particular deity and will observe fast to honor that particular deity. For example, devotees of Lord Siva tend to fast on Monday, while the devotees of Lord Visnu tend to fast on Thursdays.
Fasting, also known as Upavas or Vrat in Hindu Dharma, is voluntarily abstaining from foods or certain foods for a certain period. Fasting has both physical and spiritual benefits.
In Hinduism, seven days of the week are dedicated to some deity. Many Hindus believe that certain days of the week are dedicated to a particular deity and will observe fast to honor that particular deity. For example, devotees of Lord Siva tend to fast on Monday, while the devotees of Lord Visnu tend to fast on Thursdays.
Summary
| Day | God/Goddess |
| Sunday | Sun/Suryadev |
| Monday | Lord Shiva |
| Tuesday | Lord Hanuman |
| Wednesday | Budhdev |
| Thursday | Lord Brihaspati |
| Friday | Santoshi Mata/Lakshmi Mata |
| Saturday | Saturn (Shani) |
Major steps to take in the fasting days
- Wake up in the Brahma Muhurta (before sunrise)
- Take a holy bath
- Wear fresh and clean clothes
- Clean the Puja room and do the Sankalpa (take a pledge that you would sincerely observe the fast).
- Chant the appropriate mantras and read the sacred texts. Listen to the story of that deity (Vrat Katha).
- Visit temples or shrines dedicated to that deity.
- Worship the deity at home or a nearby temple. Worship modality and place differ according to the deity. Offer prasad to deity.
- Distribute the prasad
- Have a light vegetarian meal in the evening. People generally avoid salt and oil and consume fruits, water and milk.
Sunday Fast
Sunday fast, or Ravivar fasting, is done to please Lord Surya or Sun God and to win his blessings. A person who got the blessing from the sun god will be bestowed with a bright temperament, sharp intellect, and health.
The visible god, Sun, is a life-giver. In Narad Puran, it is said that fasting and worshipping the sun god (Surya Narayan) on Sundays are considered very auspicious. People with the weak sun in their Janam Kundli should observe this fast.
This fast is done by offering water, chanting the lord’s sun mantra, and worshipping the sun god. The sun god’s color is red, so the idol should be kept in red and decorated with red flowers such as red lotus. Pooja is consumed by offering incense, sandalwood paste, wheat grains, and specially prepared dishes.
Devotees generally have one meal before sunset without adding salt and oil to their food. Those who wish to observe 24 hours fast must conclude the next day after offering water to the Sun God.
According to Hindu Calendar, it is auspicious to start Sunday fast in the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) in the Ashwin month (September-October). One should execute this auspicious fast for 12 or 30 consecutive Sundays.
Monday Fast
Somvar Vrat, or Monday fast, is considered very auspicious for worshiping the supreme Lord Shiva. Devotees observe a complete or partial fast to get his blessings for a peaceful living. It is regarded that observing 16 consecutive Mondays fast, i.e., solah Somvar Vrat, brings miraculous positive changes to the life of a devotee. People also observe this fast to get blessings for a suitable life partner.
It is considered auspicious to start Monday fasting on Shukla Paksha or Shravan month. If one cannot commence fasting this month, he/she can start the fast from the first Shukla Paksha Monday of Chaitra, Baishakh, Kartik, or Mangsir.
Shravan Somvar fasting also has great significance in the Hindu religion. People observe fast on all the Mondays of Shravan month (July-August). People wear a white dress and worship God Shiva by offering Bhasma (Vibhuti), Bilvah leaves (Bel Patra), Datura fruits and flowers, and Naivedya.
Tuesday Fast
Tuesday fasting is done to appease Lord Hanuman. Also known as Bajranjbali, Anjani Putra, and Maruti, Hanuman is an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. Tuesday is the birthday of Lord Hanuman (the 11th avatar of Rudra; an incarnation of Lord Shiva). This fast is observed mainly to gain strength, win over enemies, win litigations and improve health. It is also believed that Mangalvar Vrat also reduces the ill effects caused by the planet Mars or Mangal.
Devotees wear red clothes, listen to Mangalvar Vrat Katha and chant Hanuman Chalisa.
One should observe fast for 21 consecutive Tuesdays to benefit from this Vrat. One can start Tuesday fasting from the first Tuesday of the bright half of the lunar month when the Sun is Uttarayana (from 15th January to 15th June) and continue for 21 weeks. Some devotees also observe fasts on Tuesday for Lord Ganesha, Lord Ganesha, Durga, and Goddess Kali. A couple also observes Tuesday fasting for Lord Murugan.
Wednesday Fast
Wednesday fast, or Budhavar Vrat, is dedicated to the planet Mercury and the lord of Mercury-Budh Dev. Planet Mercury is a good of intelligence, wealth, and wisdom. Observing Wednesday fast bestows mental insight, knowledge, and wealth to the devotee due to the blessings of Budh Dev. This Vrat is advised for people having weaker Budh in their Kundali.
According to Puranas, Hindu devotee observes a fast on Wednesday and celebrates this auspicious ritual for 21 consecutive Wednesdays to get fruitful results. Devotees celebrate this day by wearing green-colored dresses, listening to Budhvar Vrat Katha, and chanting religious hymns.
Wednesday fasting is observed mainly by husband and wife together for a peaceful family life. According to astrologers and priests, the best time to start Wednesday fast is the first Wednesday falling in the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) of any lunar month. On Wednesday, people also worship Lord Ganesh or Ganapati, the god of prosperity, wealth, and wisdom.
Thursday Fast
Thursday (Guruvar or Brihaspativar) is the day of Lord Brihaspati, the guru of all Gods and Lord of the largest planet Jupiter. Lord Brihaspati is believed to be a reincarnation form of Vishnu. Hindu devotees worship Lord Vishnu in the form of Brihaspati Dev on this auspicious day to receive his gracious blessings. Blessings from Jupiter help remove obstacles of married life and improve health and financial condition.
Thursday fasting can be started on any Shukla Paksha Thursday of a lunar month except Poush. The fast lasts for 16 Thursdays and can be kept for three years.
Friday Fast
Friday is dedicated to Mata Lakshmi and Mata Santoshi. Women especially observe this fast, and men can also do this fast. Some people observe Mata Lakshmi fast, and others observe Mata Santoshi. The purpose of fasting is only one, to fulfill one’s wishes and get the mother’s blessings.
Fasting for Lakshmi mata (Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat)
Goddess Lakshmi, a goddess of wealth and glory, is worshiped and fasted on Friday. The person who fasts on Friday for Goddess Lakshmi gets wealth, happiness, prosperity, and children.
This Friday fast can be started on any Friday, but it is better to start on. If this fast is a Friday of Shukla Paksha Friday. While starting this fast, the fasting person should resolve how many Fridays she will fast, such as 7, 11, 21, 31, 51, or 101.
Fasting for Santoshi Mata (Santoshi Vrat)
Mata Santoshi is worshiped and fasted on Friday. The person who fasts on Friday for Mata Santoshi gets wealth, happiness, prosperity, and children. According to religious beliefs, Mata Santoshi is the daughter of Lord Ganesha. It is said that by worshiping Mata Santoshi, there is a flow of contentment in life. Worshiping Mata Santoshi is believed to remove wealth and marriage-related problems.
This Friday fast can be started on any Friday, but it is better to start on Shukla Paksha Friday 16 Fridays of Mata Santoshi should have fasted for happiness and good fortune.
Saturday Fast (Shanivar Vrat)
Saturday is the day dedicated to Shani, or the planet Saturn. The planet Saturn represents longevity, concentration, austerity, restrictions, and discipline. It signifies diseases, old age, and death. Astrologers consider it so powerful that this planet can destroy or obstruct your life or other events.
The fast begins in the morning and ends in the evening. A meal is consumed after the fast and prayers to Lord Shani. Black is the color for Saturn and Saturday, so even the food consumed must have sesame, black gram, or other black-colored items.