Fasting in Hinduism

Fasting in Hinduism: Benefits, Deities & Rituals For 7 Days Of The Wee... about:reader?url=https://www.awaaznation.com/religion-and-spirituality/...
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Fasting in Hinduism: Benefits, Deities

& Rituals For 7 Days Of The Week -
Awaaz Nation
Shalini Verma
7-9 minutes
As per Hinduism, Fasting (Vrat) is usually observed by devout

Hindus for the achievement of an oath. It is not only meant for
materialistic gains, but also for harmony and peace within.
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As per Hinduism, Fasting (Vrat) is usually observed by devout

Hindus for the achievement of an oath. It is not only meant for
materialistic gains, but also for harmony and peace within. As per
Hindu mythology, each day of the week is dedicated to one or more
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Hindu Gods. Upvas (Vrat) begins with the sunrise and ends at
sunset. On the day of fasting, the native can be observed eating
only after the evening prayers. Every fasting has its own
procedures and importance.
MONDAY FASTING:
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Monday (Somavaar) is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Known to be the

father of Lord Ganesha, no puja can ever start without Ganpati
Pujan (worship of Lord Ganesha). After seeking blessings from
Ganpati, Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati are worshipped on this day.
Devotees, who observe fast on this day, are blessed with the
fulfillment of all their dreams and desires. This fast is commonly
kept by young girls (unmarried ladies) who wish to be blessed with
a husband like Lord Shiva. There are three ways of observing this
fast:
Simple Monday fast,
Som Pradosh vrat,
Solah somavaar.
It is believed that even Goddess Parvati observed the fast of Solah

Somavaar with deep devotion for Lord Shiva.
How To Begin The Monday Fast?
For a fruitful result, one should start Monday fast from Shukla
Paksha of Savanmonth (June-July) with a clean heart. One can
keep either the simple Monday fast or the Solah Somvars as per
one’s determination.
After taking bath, one should sit facing Northeast. Clean the idol
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with Ganga jal, and light a diya after applying tilak on the idol.
Remember that kumkum is never offered to Lord Shiva. It is
advised that only chandan (sandalwood) should be used for Lord
Shiva and kumkum for Goddess Parvati. Offer incense sticks, diya,
five type of seasonal fruits while chanting the mantra “OM NAMAH
SHIVAY” for 108 times. The devotees hear Somvar Vrat katha on
the day of fasting in a hope that their wish would be fulfilled.
Preferred Color: Blue
TUESDAY FASTING:
Tuesday (Mangalvaar) is dedicated to Mahavir Hanuman, who was

a great devotee of Lord Rama. It is considered to be a very strict
fast. This is generally kept by males for immense flow of success,
strength and fast-recovery from illness. Besides this, this fasting is
considered for Mangal (Mars), as Lord Hanuman helps nullify the
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ill-effects of the troublesome planet, Mars.
How To Begin Tuesday Fast/Vrat?
The observer should take bath and seek blessings from Lord
Hanuman. The person should worship Lord Hanuman by lighting
a diya while offering red flowers. A tilak of sandalwood paste must
be applied on the idol of Lord Hanuman. Chant
Hanuman Chalisa for 108 times. The observer should eat only after
sunset. Salt should be avoided.
Preferred Color: Red
WEDNESDAY FASTING:
This day is dedicated to the planet, Mercury, and Lord Vithal, who
was an avatar of Lord Krishna. In Budhvaar Vrat, Lord Krishna and
Lord Vishnu are worshipped. Wednesday is considered a good day
for starting a new venture and educational activity. It helps maintain
harmony in family life. Couples are advised to observe fast together
on this day for a blissful married life.
How to keep Wednesday Fast?
On this day, everything offer by the devotee to the planet Mercury

must be green-colored. Food must be eaten only after reading
the Budh katha in the evening. After the katha is over, Lord Shiva
must be offered the leaves of Bael tree. Keeping this fast with
devotion can end all family disputes as well as troubles.
Prefered Color: Green
THURSDAY FASTING:
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Lord Brihaspati represents money; hence, the observer should

worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu for monetary gains and
mental peace. Some people keep this fast for removing obstacles
of their married life. The people who experience weak Jupiter in
their horoscope must keep this fast with full dedication to seek
blessings and prosperity.
How to observe Thursday fast?
One should start the fast on the first Thursday of Shukla

Paksha. The observer should keep fasts for 16 consecutive
Thursdays (Brihaspativaar). On the fasting day, one should take
bath before the sunrise. One must avoid using soap or washing the
head on this day. Later, the observer should sit with the face
towards Northeast, and worship Lord Vishnu and Brihaspati
Grah by offering yellow flowers, sandalwood paste and a yellow
dish as prasadh.
The devotee should hear brihaspati katha in evening, and should

give away yellow colored things such as clothes
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as ‘daan’ (donation). The observer should eat only yellow dishes

without any salt on this day.
Preferred Color: Yellow
FRIDAY FASTING:
Shukravaar (Friday) is devoted to Goddess Durga. It is also

dedicated to Mata Santoshi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The
observer must keep 16 vrat (fast), known as Solah Shukravaar
Vrat, to get what they desire. Women keep this fast for strength and
physical & mental fitness. If the Shukra (Venus) is weak in one’s
horoscope, he/she is advised to keep this fast, in order to nullify the
harmful effects of the same.
How To Observe The Friday Fast?
On Friday, women fast for Santoshi Ma. They should, therefore,

avoid eating any sour food. Fast should be for at least sixteen
Fridays. On completion of these sixteen fasts, they must invite girls
in odd number such as 7 or 11 (the girls should be of 16 years)
for Kanya Pujan and should offer gifts and food to them.
Preferred Color: Blue or White
SATURDAY FASTING:
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Saturday (Shanivaar) fast is observed to nullify the harmful effects

of the planet Saturn (Shani). Shani represents cruelty. If the native
is suffering from any evil effects of Shani, he/she should donate
black colored items such as black cloth, metal, black gram, black til,
etc. Generally, one should donate mustard oil and a coin in iron
bowl, after having a glimpse of their shadow in it.
How to observe the Saturday Fast?
Many people worship Peepal tree in the evening by lighting diya

beneath it and tying threads around the bark. People also worship
Lord Hanuman on Saturdays because Hanuman rescued Lord
Shani from Ravana during Ramayana. Since then, the black-
skinned Lord Shani respects Lord Hanuman, and never harms His
devotees. The devotees should eat only once in a day, that too after
offering prayers in the evening. The evening food must contain any
black colored food item, such as sesame oil, black gram, mustard
etc. If possible, avoid salt on your fasting day.
Prefered Color: Black
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SUNDAY FASTING:
Lord Sun (Surya Narayana) is worshipped on this day. He is known

to fulfill the desires of a person. This fast helps clean one’s aura
and improves his status in society. Besides this, devotees can
observe this fast for overcoming any problems related to skin.
How To Observe The Sunday Fast?
One should take bath early in the morning. Take a

copper kalash (pot), with kumkumor sandalwood paste inside it,
and a red flower. Pour Holy water inside the kalash and offer the
water to Surya devta by pouring it outside, facing towards the Sun.
Remember to chant the Gayatri mantra three times while offering
the water. Devotees are advised to eat one meal in a day, before
sunset. Avoid eating salt, oily or fried items.
Preferred Color: Red
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Fasting in Hinduism: Benefits, Deities & Rituals For 7 Days Of The Wee... about:reader?url=https://www.awaaznation.com/religion-and-spirituality/...

Fasting in Hinduism: Benefits, Deities

As per Hinduism, Fasting (Vrat) is usually observed by devout

As per Hinduism, Fasting (Vrat) is usually observed by devout

Monday (Somavaar) is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Known to be the

Simple Monday fast,

Som Pradosh vrat,

It is believed that even Goddess Parvati observed the fast of Solah

How To Begin The Monday Fast?

Preferred Color: Blue

Tuesday (Mangalvaar) is dedicated to Mahavir Hanuman, who was

ill-effects of the troublesome planet, Mars.

How To Begin Tuesday Fast/Vrat?

Preferred Color: Red

How to keep Wednesday Fast?

On this day, everything offer by the devotee to the planet Mercury

Prefered Color: Green

Lord Brihaspati represents money; hence, the observer should

How to observe Thursday fast?

One should start the fast on the first Thursday of Shukla

The devotee should hear brihaspati katha in evening, and should

as ‘daan’ (donation). The observer should eat only yellow dishes

Preferred Color: Yellow

Shukravaar (Friday) is devoted to Goddess Durga. It is also

How To Observe The Friday Fast?

On Friday, women fast for Santoshi Ma. They should, therefore,

Preferred Color: Blue or White

Saturday (Shanivaar) fast is observed to nullify the harmful effects

How to observe the Saturday Fast?

Many people worship Peepal tree in the evening by lighting diya

Prefered Color: Black

Lord Sun (Surya Narayana) is worshipped on this day. He is known

How To Observe The Sunday Fast?

One should take bath early in the morning. Take a

Preferred Color: Red

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