Days of the Week in a Hindu Calendar have distinct significance, according to Hindu Shastra. Each weekday is associated with a specific God and is ruled by a specific planet. There are many ancient stories and legends depicting the glory of various Gods or planets as well as the advantage of keeping the fasts on specific days. It is believed that different Gods fulfil different desires. One is afflicted by the rage of the Gods if they do not show proper respect to the God. The stories also narrate the adversities one has to face if they ignore any God or Planet specific for a day.
Days of the Week
The Days of the Week in a Hindu Calendar are named as:
1. Ravivar: Sunday (day of Sun)
2. Somvar: Monday (day of Moon)
3. Mangalvar: Tuesday (day of Mars)
4. Budhvar: Wednesday (day of Mercury)
5. Vrihaspativar or Guruvar: Thursday (day of Jupiter)
6. Shukravar: Friday (day of Venus)
7. Shanivar: Saturday (day of Saturn)
Ravivar: Ravivar or Sunday is the day of Sun God. He is worshipped with red sandalwood and red flowers. Fasting is observed to achieve prosperity as well as to get rid of various skin diseases.
Somvar: Somvar or Monday is believed to be the day of Lord Shiva. Fasting is observed to propitiate him. The fasting has special significance on the month of Shravan. This day is observed to acquire wisdom or prosperity.
Mangalvar: Mangalvar or Tuesday is observed as day of Lord Hanuman. The disciples wear red clothes, shower red flowers and keep fast. Different sacred stories are read and listened by the devotees before breaking the fasting. The fasting is kept to appease planet Mars and get royal patronage, happiness or a son.
Budhvar: Budhvar or Wednesday is related to planet Mercury. It is also thought the day of Lord Shiva. Green colour is good for this day. The followers observe fasting and takes meal only once in a day. Mercury brings happiness and deepens love between husband and wife.
Vrihaspativar: Vrihaspativar or Thursday is ruled by planet Jupiter. It is also commonly termed as Guruvar. The Brihaspati is the teacher of the Gods. The day is also observed to pay homage to Goddess Lakshmi to increase wealth and prosperity. The devotees observe fast. They wear yellow clothes, shower yellow flowers and serve yellow coloured food.
Shukravar: Shukravar or Friday, devotees observe fast to pacify Shukra God or Venus. The lord is worshipped with white flowers and rice. The adherents wear white dresses, serve white food like Kheer and avoid sour foods. The Venus increases love between husband and wife.
Shanivar: Shanivar or Saturday is governed by Saturn God or Lord Shanidev, who had evil power to cause distress on anybody for a long period. The Saturn God is made of black iron. All black things like black sesame seeds, black lentils and black flowers are the ingredients of the Puja. People wear black clothes, eat lentils and sesame, and donate iron, black blanket or oil. The puja and fasting is performed to keep away sufferings and misery.
Tithi of Days in Hindu Calendar
The Tithi at sunrise of a day is the only indication of the day. There is no running day number from the first day to the last day of the month. Sometimes two successive days have the same Tithi and in such a case, the latter is called an "Adhika Tithi" where Adhika means "extra". Sometimes, one Tithi may never reach a sunrise, and hence no day will be labelled by that Tithi. It is then said to be a "Tithi Kshaya" where Kshaya means "loss".
