Hindu Beliefs in Fasting

Posted on 20/08/2014 I by: Priya Sharma

According to the Hindu belief, fasting has a way of neutralizing or minimizing chaos in the body. Instead of focusing on food, when fasting, the whole body assists one in going towards spirituality. Hindus fast in observance of a vow or holy day. Lets have a look on the fast of particular day-

Sunday
It is observed for the Lord Sun or Surya. Red is the colour of this day. It is believed that this fast helps you in fulfilling desires. People suffering from skin diseases also observe this fast to get rid of it. Extra importance is given to cleanliness of the body and surroundings. Red flowers are offered for prayers and red coloured sandalwood tilak is applied on the forehead.

Monday
It is observed for Lord Shiva. On this day unmarried girls observe fast to find an ideal husband and married women fast to pray for a prosperous married life. Lord Shiva is considered to be very calm and also as somebody who can be pleased easily. Fasting on Mondays begins at sunrise and ends at sunset. On this day, food is only eaten after evening prayer. Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati are worshipped, but of course no worship begins without remembering their elephant-headed son Lord Ganesha. The fasting on Mondays in the month of Shravan is considered even more auspicious.

Tuesday
Tuesday fasts are either observed for Lord Hanuman or for Planet Mars called Mangal in Hindi. This fast is observed by people to alleviate the problems from their life as they pray to Lord Hanuman, who is also known as Sankat Mochan (the Problem Solver). However, some communities might be worshipping other deities on Tuesday. For example, in South India the day is dedicated to Skanda or Murugan or Kartikeya (Kartik).

Wednesday
The concept of fasting on a Wednesday started quite recently. It is generally related to Lord Shiva or Planet Buddh (Mercury). It is generally observed by married people, whereby both husband and wife together keep the fast and pray for a happy married life. The food is generally taken only once but rather in the afternoon than in the evening.

Thursday
Thursday also known as Brihaspativar or Guruvar is generally dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Planet Brihaspati (Jupiter). It is thought that people who observe a fast on this day will be blessed with wealth and a happy life. The colour of this day is yellow, so people who are fasting prefer to wear yellow clothes. They also eat yellow-coloured food without salt, often made out of Channa Daal Aata (Besan flour). Some people also pray to the banana tree on this day and thus do not eat any bananas.

Friday
Friday is dedicated to Shakti, the mother goddess in Hinduism, and also to planet Shukra (Venus). The worship of Shakti on Fridays basically relates to Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), and to Goddess Santoshi (another incarnation of the mother goddess). Shukra is believed to provide material wealth and joy. Observing fasts in the name of Goddess Lakshmi on this day is considered highly auspicious. The fasting ends only with sunset. The evening should compulsorily include one dessert, usually kheer or any other milk-based sweet. Ladies worshipping Lakshmi on this day generally wear red clothes. This fast is mostly observed for bringing joy and material well-being.

Saturday
Saturday fast is generally observed to alleviate the ill effects of the planet Shani (Saturn). Shani is symbolic of cruelty and is adverse in nature. It is also considered to be the planet of justice and thus has the power to punish anybody who does injustice to anyone in his lifetime. People generally donate black cloth, pieces of metal, mustard oil, black urad gram and black til (sesame seeds) to the Dakot (a person who accepts offerings made to Shani). Food is generally taken after the evening prayers, and generally includes black urad and sesame seeds, etc.