As per Hindu traditions, fasting holds a vital place in many religions and cultures as they are considered to have physical, spiritual, and mental advantages. A widely observed fast by Hindus is on Thursdays. Also known as Guruvar Vrat, this fast is devoted to Lord Vishnu and Brihaspati (Jupiter), his incarnation. This blog talks about the Thursday Fast Vidhi, in addition to benefits and all other relevant details required to observe Thursday Fast.

Before we delve into the Thursday fast vidhi, let us have a look at all the days of the week and know related deities as well as their associated colors:

Guruvar Vrat Katha (Story)

In a small village ages ago lived a woman who was an intense devotee of Lord Vishnu. Her piousness and relentless faith were known to all. She used to observe fasts regularly and devotedly on Thursdays by going to the temple and performing rituals dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Though very dedicated, she faced many difficulties in her life. Her family was poor and struggled to make ends meet, yet that never moved her faith. 

On her way to the temple on a Thursday, she met a holy man who asked her for charity, but as she had nothing to give, she offered him prayers and devotion. The Sadhu was moved by her piety and blessed her. He asked her to keep observing the Thursday fasts with the same devotion as now. 

Gradually, she gained fortune and her husband got a good job. Their life got better as their financial condition improved, getting them satisfaction and prosperity. The woman credited all the fortune she gained to her unwavering faith and the observance of the Thursday fast.

This Guruvar vrat katha marks the power of faith, devotion, and the significance of the Thursday fasting in obtaining positive changes in life.

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Guruvar Vrat Significance

In Hinduism, the Thursday fasting rituals hold immense significance, as this fast can get numerous material, spiritual, and mental benefits. It helps cleanse the mind and soul and connect deeply with the divine. As Brihaspati (Jupiter) is the most benefic planet in astrology, it denotes prosperity, wisdom, and good luck. Fasting on Thursdays can appease Jupiter and present positive life changes. It is also believed to remove obstacles and achieve plentitude. When married women observe this fast, it strengthens marital bonds, brings harmony, and ensures their partner's well-being. 

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Step-Wise Thursday Fasting Ritual

Let us look at the series of practices and rituals to follow for observing Thursday Vrat:

1. Pre-Dawn Practices

- Wake up early, preferably before sunrise.

- Take a bath and don clean, yellow-colored clothes.

2. Resolve to Fast

- Sit in front of Lord Vishnu's idol or image.

- Lit a ghee lamp and offer yellow-colored flowers, sweets, and fruits.

- Take a Sankalp or resolution to fast devotedly and seek blessings for prosperity, wisdom, and overall well-being.

 3. Morning Prayers

- Execute a thorough puja of Lord Vishnu by reciting Vishnu Sahasranama or other related Stotras (hymns).

- Present sandalwood paste, yellow rice, turmeric, and yellow sweets to the god.

- Recite the Brihaspati mantra - 'Om Graam Greem Graum Sah Gurave Namah.'

4. Do Charity

- Donate yellow food, clothes, or other necessities to the poor or needy.

- Feed the cows with yellow sweets or bananas.

5. Observe Fast

- The Thursday Vrat is usually kept from sunrise to sunset.

- Some might consume only milk, fruits, and yellow-colored food items. Other devotees may abstain from food altogether.

6. Evening Prayers

- Repeat the morning puja and prayer practices.

- Offer the yellow flowers, sweets, and fruits to Lord Vishnu.

- Light the diya and chant prayers and hymns.

7. Guruvar Vrat Katha

- Sit with all family members and narrate the Guruvar Vrat Katha.

8. Thursday Vrat Aarti 

- Conclude the rituals by conducting the aarti devoted to Lord Vishnu.

- Distribute the prasad among all family members.

9. Breaking the Fast

- Break the fast after sunset after performing the evening puja rituals. 

- Devour simple, yellow-colored food items.

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Thursday Fasting Benefits

Here's how observing the Thursday Vrat can benefit individuals:

• Observing the Thursday fast can enhance spiritual growth and foster a more in-depth connection with the divine, yet purifying the mind and soul.
• The Thursday Vrat helps appease the planet of knowledge and wisdom, Jupiter, thus uplifting mental clarity and enhancing intellectual growth as well as decision-making skills.
• Devotees observing Thursday fast get blessed with prosperity and financial balance, as it eliminates hindrances and entices wealth and plentitude.
• If married women observe this fast, it benefits them by strengthening their bond and enhancing the well-being of their spouse, thus bringing harmony to their relationship.
• Apart from the mentioned, fasting also has a lot of health benefits, like improved digestion, weight management, and detoxification. Moreover, it reduces stress and anxiety.

Do's and Don'ts of Brihaspati Vrat Meals

While fasting on Thursdays, ensure you follow the dietary guidelines mentioned below:

Include these Food Items:

- Fruits: Bananas, papayas, apples, and other seasonal fruits.

- Dairy: Milk, yogurt, and other dairy products.

- Grains: Yellow rice, gram flour items.

- Sweets: Ladoos, kheer and halwa.

- Spices: Turmeric.

Avoid these Food Items:

- Non-vegetarian.

- Onions and garlic.

- Processed and junk foods.

- Overly spicy or oily foods.

Thursday Vrat Aarti

Om Jai Jagdish Hare

Swami Jai Jagdish Hare

Bhakt jano ke sankat

Das jano ke sankat

Kshan me door kare

Om Jai Jagdish Hare

Jo dhyave phal paave

Dukh bin se man ka

Swami dukh bin se man ka

Sukh sampati ghar aave

Sukh sampati ghar aave

Kasht mite tan ka

Om Jai Jagdish Hare

Mata pita tum mere

Sharan gahoon main kiski

Swami sharan gahoon main kiski

Tum bin aur na dooja

Tum bin aur na dooja

Aas karoon main jiski

Om Jai Jagdish Hare

Tum pooran paramatma

Tum antaryami

Swami tum antaryami

Par Brahm Parameshwar

Par Brahm Parameshwar

Tum sab ke swami

Om Jai Jagdish Hare

Tum karuna ke saagar

Tum palan karta

Swami tum palan karta

Main moorakh khal kami

Main seva ko tartha

Om Jai Jagdish Hare

Tum ho ek agochar

Sab ke praanpati

Swami sab ke praanpati

Kis vidhi miloon daya nidhi

Kis vidhi miloon daya nidhi

Tum ko main kumati

Om Jai Jagdish Hare

Deen bandhu dukh harta

Thakur tum mere

Swami thakur tum mere

Apne hath uthao

Apni sharan lagao

Dwarkapathi mere

Om Jai Jagdish Hare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 What is the significance of the Guruvar Vrat in Hinduism?

Ans. Thursday fasting is devoted to Lord Vishnu, signifying prosperity, wisdom, and good luck. It conveys spiritual growth, success, and enriched relationships.

Q.2 Can I observe Thursday fast?

Ans. Yes, anyone can observe this fast for the many benefits it presents. However, it is mainly meant for married women who want to intensify marital bonds and bring peace and prosperity to their families.

Q.3 What are the Thursday fasting rituals?

Ans. Prepare the pre-dawn rituals, resolve to fast, perform the morning and evening puja, donate, recite the Guruvar Vrat Katha, do Thursday vrat aarti, and adhere to the dietary guidelines.

Q.4 What to eat during the Thursday fast?

Ans. You can eat fruits, yellow rice, dairy products, gram flour items, yellow-colored sweets, or turmeric-spiced foods. Also, have a lot of water, herbal teas, or coconut water to stay hydrated.

Q.5 What should I not eat during the Thursday fast?

Ans. While observing fasts, avoid non-vegetarian food, onions, garlic, junk or processed foods, and spicy or oily foods.

Q.6 Can Thursday fasting enhance mental clarity?

Ans. Yes, fasting on Thursday pacifies Jupiter, which is the planet of knowledge and wisdom, further improving mental clarity, decision-making skills, and intellectual growth.

Q.7 What are Thursday fasting benefits to health?

Ans. Observing fasts improves digestion, detoxifies the body, and manages weight. It also elevates mental well-being by lessening stress and anxiety, thus helping overall health.

Q.8 Why use yellow color in Thursday fasting rituals?

Ans. As yellow is associated with Jupiter and Lord Vishnu, employing it in the Thursday fast vidhi, like by wearing clothes, devouring sweets, as well as food, and offering flowers in yellow, is considered auspicious. 

Q.9 What is the importance of the Thursday Vrat Aarti?

Ans. In the Thursday fasting rituals, performing the aarti indicates the culmination of the day's ritual, conveying gratitude and seeking blessings from Lord Vishnu. Doing so boosts the spirituality of the fast.