Guruvar Vrath or known as Thursday Vrath is a Vedic fasting practice performed by Hindus in respect of the Lord Brihaspati or Jupiter who is considered as the teacher of gods. To bless one for material successes, spiritual enlightenment, and knowledge, many Hindus celebrate this vrath. The tradition is religious in that it is primarily rooted in Hinduism where those who practise it with purity of intent benefit in both spiritual and physical ways.

Significance

Thursday or Brihaspativar or Guruvar is one of the most sacred days for devoted people who worship Lord Brihaspati. He is also considered and celebrated as the god of wisdom, education as well as of everything that can be associated with fluent speech. By watching the Thursday Vrath, one can attract the friendly reaction of the deity and thus gain more knowledge, excel in his academic achievements and bask in the shower of prosperity.

They are usually from the dawn of the day to the dusk of the day or from morning to evening. People abstain from taking meals particularly from some types of food on this day, perform different acts of worship and supplication. The fast is observed for the purpose of being healthy, be it physically, psychologically, spiritually or even for family well-being especially by young girls who wished to have good husbands as well as households that wished to have prosperity.

How to observe the vrath

Observing Thursday Vrath involves several key practices and rituals:

Purification and Preparation: The vrath fasting begins from the dawn of the next day; devotees take a bath and dress in clean yellow cloths since yellow is considered inauspicious with Lord Brihaspati. The home is swept, and then a place is prepared where one can worship.

Fasting:It is important to remember that Thursday Vrath fasting is one of the central ’Ashtamudi’ practices. People are advised to abstain from foods within their belt-roast such as grains, cereals, and pulses. They feed on fruits, milk and other natural foods in the absence of such products as grains and livestock. Some fasts are complete in the sense that people do not eat at all until evening.

Prayer and Worship: Those people who are followers of the lord offer a unique prayer to Brahaman known as Brihaspati puja. This is followed by the ‘yellow puja,’ which entails placing yellow flowers, rice, chana dal, and sweets on the idol. At times, instead of a yellow paint, there may be a yellow cloth placed over the deity or the altar. Loyal individuals conduct chanting of mantras and narrate incidents that hold water in reference to Lord Brihaspati.

Charity and Service: This is allowed by the vrath where charity is considered to be an essential aspect of the religion. People contribute yellow dresses, foods and/or bite and fee to the poor. Brahmins or offering food is also good, feeding Brahmins or feeding cows is also very good.

Spiritual Reflection: Buddhists and followers of other religions stay in their places of worship and refrain from speaking and engaging in any sinful activities including evil thoughts. This is helpful in attaining mental and general well-being, spiritual development and the ability to face life challenges.

Benefits of Vrath

The benefits of Thursday Vrath are multifaceted, encompassing spiritual, mental, and material aspects:

Spiritual Growth: A vrath ensures that the individual spiritual awareness of the individual increases and that the devotion towards Lord Brihaspati is also increased. People have believed that through performing the provided vows, it cleanses the body and soul to make the devotee get closer to the divine truth and knowledge.

Educational Success: Among the goods of many, Lord Brihaspati showers his blessings over academic and learning world as he is the god of wisdom. They celebrate this vrath to be wise, focused and to excel in their studies and research among other things.

Prosperity and Well-being: It is also celebrated to seek blessings for wealth in the form of money and success for business as well as to maintain unity and bonding within the family. It is considered that when Lord Brihaspati showers his benedictions upon his devotees, they experience wealth, happiness, and successful and happy careers, and happy homes.

Mental Clarity and Discipline: Restriction and doing devotional exercises on Thursday creates focus and keeps the body chaste. It brings about a change of pace and location, making it possible to find or create time for self-reflection or spiritual rejuvenation.

Karmic Benefits:Any charity deed or service rendered during the vrath is believed to have positive impacts on the individual’s karmas. Caring for the poor, feeding birds and fishes and other benevolent activities are thought to be able to wash the soul clean and improve luck.