Which Days Are For Which Hindu God?

*Editor’s note: light editing was done to this article to preserve the tone and style of the author.*

In Hinduism, each day of a week is dedicated to a particular god in the Hindu pantheon. Apart from the special Vratas and Upvaas, many Hindus also fast on a particular day in a week. Each day in a week has a specialty and there are numerous folklores associated with the fasting observed on the days of a week.

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Which God is which day?

1. Sunday is dedicated to Lord Surya (Sun God)
2. Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
3. Tuesday is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Durga, Goddess Kali and Lord Hanuman.
4. Wednesday is dedicated to planet Mercury and Lord Vithal, an incarnation of Krishna.
5. Thursday is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations.
6. Friday is dedicated to Mother Goddess – Mahalakshmi, Santhosi Ma, Annapuraneshwari and Durga.
7. Saturday is dedicated to alleviating the bad influence of Lord Shani.

Sunday

Sunday is dedicated to Lord Surya (Sun God). Those who undertake fast (upvaas) on the day only take a single meal. Oil and salt is avoided. Red is the color of the day and red flowers are offered to Surya Ravivar, or Sunday, is dedicated to Lord Surya or Suryanarayana. Upvaas or fasting on the day is dedicated to the Sun God. Red is the color of the day.

Those people who undertake fast on the day only eat food once that too before sunset. Salt, oil, and fried food items are avoided. Red color flowers are offered while praying. Red color sandalwood paste is applied as tilak on the forehead. Extra care is given to cleanliness of the body and surroundings. It is believed that Ravivar Vrat will help in fulfilling desires. People with skin diseases observe the Vrat to get relief. Many devotees also give alms on the day.

Monday

Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is said that Lord Shiva is easily pleased. Therefore many people observe Upvaas on Monday. Those devotees observing fast only eat food once. People visit Lord Shiva shrines and conduct pujas, especially, Ardhanarishwara puja. The mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ is chanted continuously. Siva devotees also read Shiva Purana. Unmarried women observe the Vrat to get good husbands. Others observe it for a happy and prosperous family life.

Tuesday

Tuesday is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Durga, Goddess Kali, and Lord Hanuman. Most devotees visit Devi and Hanuman shrines. Those people who fast avoid taking food containing salt at night. Upvaas (fasting) on the day is dedicated to Hanuman and Mangal or Mars. Mangalwar, Tuesday, takes its name from the god Mangal or Mars who rules the day and is considered to be a trouble maker, and the fast is to ward off the harmful effects. Red is the preferred color on the day.

It must be noted here that the Hanuman might not be worshipped on Tuesday in all regions. Some communities might be worshipping some other deity. For example, in South India, the day is dedicated to Skanda or Muruga or Kartikeya (Kartik). But generally, Tuesday is dedicated to Hanuman.

Wednesday

Wednesday is dedicated to planet Mercury and Lord Vithal, an incarnation of Krishna. Green color leaves, especially Tulsi leaves, are used in Pujas. The day is highly auspicious for starting new ventures and it is believed that those who observe the Vrat are bound to get blessed with fortunes. People also give alms on the day.

Budhvar, Wednesday, is dedicated to Lord Krishna and the planet Budh or Mercury. The day is also associated with Lord Vithal, an incarnation of Krishna. In some regions, Lord Vishnu is worshiped. Keeping a fast (Upvaas) on Budhvar is believed to help in leading a peaceful family life.

Thursday

Thursday is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations. Pujas are conducted using milk, ghee, etc. Food is only eaten once and that too containing milk products. People read Srimad Bhagavad Purana on the day. Thursday is also popularly known as Gurubar or Guruvar. Yellow is the color of the day. A fast is observed on the day and food is consumed only once. In some areas, people make it a point to visit Hanuman Temple on Thursdays.

Friday

Friday is dedicated to Mother Goddess – Mahalakshmi, Santhosi Ma, Annapuraneshwari, and Durga. Sweets are distributed on the day. Those devotees observing the Vrat make it a point to eat at night.

Friday or Shukrawar is dedicated to Shakti – the Mother Goddess in Hinduism – and Shukra or Venus. One of the most important Vrat or Upvaas (fast) on the day is dedicated to Santhoshi Matha (an incarnation of Shakti). The fasting is also known as ‘Solah Shukravar Vrats because a devotee fasts for 16 consecutive Fridays. White color is given importance on Friday.

Another deity that is propitiated on the day is Shukra, who is known to provide joy and material wealth. The period of Shukra in one’s astrological chart is considered to be most productive and luckily period.

Saturday

Saturday is dedicated to alleviating the bad influence of Lord Shani. The Vrat on this day is mainly observed by those people who believe in Hindu astrology. Black is the color of the day and people visit Shani shrine or Navagraha shrines. Food is only consumed once on the day.

Shani, one of the Navagrahas, is worshipped in numerous temples and there are also temples exclusively dedicated to Sani. Devotees who are observing Shanivar Vrat usually visit Shani shrines. Black colored items like sesame til, sesame oil, black clothes, and black gram whole are offered to Shani. It must be noted here that the color of the idol of Shani is always black in color.

It must be noted here that the deity worshipped on a particular day might vary from region to region and community to community. The result of all upvaas or fast depends on the person. It is good if all the members of the family can undertake a Vrata together.

Source: Which God is which day?