Fasting by Weekday in Astrology — Planet Day Guide

In Vedic astrology, every day of the week is ruled by a planet, and fasting on that planet's day is one of the oldest and most effective remedies in the tradition. This is not superstition — it is applied cosmology. When you fast on a planet's day, abstaining from specific foods associated with that planet's qualities, you weaken the hold of excess planetary energy and strengthen your alignment with the planet's highest expressions. Whether you are seeking to strengthen a weak planet in your chart or to calm an afflicted one, weekday fasting (Vara Vrat) is the foundation of Vedic planetary remedy.

Reviewed by Dr. Meenakshi Sharma, M.A. Sanskrit & Vedic Studies, Varanasi, with 20+ years of practice in Vedic Jyotish.

Each of the seven classical planets rules one day of the week. This rulership extends beyond mere naming — the planetary energy is genuinely heightened on its day (Saturday really does carry more Shani energy; Thursday carries more Guru energy). Fasting on a planet's day creates a resonance between your bodily discipline and that planet's cosmic quality. The Vedic sages observed that when the body is lightened through fasting, the subtle body becomes more receptive to planetary influences and to the mantras associated with those planets.

Know your chart planets and their strengths by using the birth chart calculator — identifying which planets need strengthening or calming will tell you which weekday fasts will benefit you most.

Monday is ruled by the Moon (Chandra) and is sacred to Lord Shiva, who carries the crescent Moon on his head. Monday fasting is the most widely practiced in India and is particularly recommended for:

• People with a weak or afflicted Moon in their birth chart
• Those suffering from anxiety, emotional instability, or relationship difficulties
• Anyone seeking the blessings of Shiva for moksha and peace

What to eat and when: Consume only water, milk, white foods (rice, curd, coconut), and fruits throughout the day. Take one meal at sunset — traditionally kheer (rice pudding with milk and sugar) or sabudana (tapioca). Avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and anything with a pungent or heating quality.

What NOT to eat: Avoid dark-colored foods, meat, eggs, garlic, onion, and excessively spicy food. These aggravate the rajasic and tamasic qualities that disturb the Moon's peaceful nature.

Worship: Offer water (Jal Abhishek) to a Shiva Linga. Chant Om Namah Shivaya 108 times. Wear white. The full Moon Monday (Shukla Paksha Somvar) fast carries especially potent merit.

Tuesday is ruled by Mars (Mangala) and is sacred to Lord Hanuman. This fast is essential for:

• Those with a weak or debilitated Mars struggling with lack of courage, energy, or initiative
• Those with Mars afflictions causing accidents, conflicts, or excess anger
• People seeking protection, strength, and victory in competition

What to eat and when: Fast completely until sunset, then eat one meal. Red-colored foods (red lentils, red vegetables, beetroot) in moderation are acceptable. Many devotees eat only sweet red foods and abstain from salt entirely on this day.

What NOT to eat: Avoid all salt — this is the defining prohibition of Mangala Vrat. No sour foods, no non-vegetarian items, no alcohol.

Worship: Visit a Hanuman temple and offer vermilion (sindoor) mixed with oil, red flowers, and betel leaves. Recite the Hanuman Chalisa. Mars mantra: Om Angarakaya Namah, 108 times. Wear red or coral.

Thursday is ruled by Jupiter (Guru/Brihaspati) and is sacred to Lord Vishnu. It is considered the most auspicious fasting day for:

• Those seeking wisdom, education, marriage, children, or financial abundance
• People with a weak or afflicted Jupiter suffering from lack of faith, poor judgment, or legal troubles
• Married women who observe Brihaspativar Vrat for their husband's health and long life

What to eat and when: Yellow foods are emphasized — yellow lentil dal, chana dal, banana, turmeric rice, and gram flour sweets. Eating on a banana leaf is considered especially auspicious. Take one meal in the afternoon. Avoid salt if observing strict Vrat.

What NOT to eat: Do not cut hair or wash clothes on Thursday (disrespectful to Guru). Avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, sour foods, and tamarind. Eating at someone else's home is also traditionally avoided on this day.

Worship: Worship Lord Vishnu with yellow flowers, turmeric, and banana. Recite Guru Brihaspati Stotra or Vishnu Sahasranama. Jupiter mantra: Om Brihaspataye Namah, 108 times. Wear yellow.

Friday is ruled by Venus (Shukra) and is sacred to Goddess Lakshmi. Friday fasting is recommended for:

• Those seeking beauty, harmony, romantic relationships, artistic success, or material abundance
• People with a weak or afflicted Venus experiencing relationship difficulties, financial struggles, or health issues with reproductive organs
• Women seeking marital harmony and women who observe Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat

What to eat and when: White and light foods — white rice, milk, curd, sugar, lotus seeds, makhana. Sweets made with white sugar or condensed milk are offerings that are then consumed. One meal in the evening.

What NOT to eat: Avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and any intoxicants. Do not eat meat or fish. Avoid harsh, bitter, or pungent foods that clash with Venus's aesthetic and pleasurable nature.

Worship: Offer lotus flowers, white sweets, and fragrant incense to Maha Lakshmi. Recite Lakshmi Ashtakam or Sri Sukta. Venus mantra: Om Shukraya Namah, 108 times. Wear white or pink. Performing Lakshmi Puja with a lamp lit in pure ghee amplifies the fast's benefits.

Saturday is ruled by Saturn (Shani) and is the most feared but also the most powerful fasting day for karmic clearing. Saturday fasting is essential for:

• Those in Sade Sati (Saturn's 7.5-year transit) or Dhaiya (2.5-year transit)
• People with a weak, debilitated, or afflicted Saturn suffering from chronic obstacles, delays, and hardships
• Those seeking protection from accidents, legal troubles, and enemies

What to eat and when: Eat only once, in the afternoon or evening. Black and dark-colored foods are associated with Saturn — black sesame (til), urad dal (black lentils), and simple, unadorned foods. Some devotees eat only til-rice (sesame and rice).

What NOT to eat: Avoid oil (some avoid mustard oil on the body too on this day — or alternatively, light a mustard oil lamp for Shani as an offering). No non-vegetarian food, no alcohol. Avoid extravagance in food — Saturn's lesson is austerity and simplicity.

Worship: Light a sesame oil lamp at the Shani deity (iron image or shilagram). Offer black sesame, black cloth, iron nails, and black flowers. Donate to the poor: shoes, blankets, sesame, or black cloth. Recite Shani Stotra or Dasharatha Shani Stotram. Saturn mantra: Om Shanaischaraya Namah, 108 times. Wear dark blue or black.

Sunday is ruled by the Sun (Surya) and is sacred to Lord Surya himself — the cosmic father, the source of vitality and authority. Sunday fasting benefits:

• Those with a weak Sun struggling with lack of confidence, poor health, father-related issues, or career difficulties
• Anyone in Sun Mahadasha or Antardasha facing challenges
• Those seeking government jobs, recognition, authority, or improved eyesight

What to eat and when: Eat only once before sunset — the fast begins at sunrise and ends at sunset. Permitted foods include water, fruits, and simple vegetarian food. Red foods (tomato, pomegranate, carrot) in moderation. No food after sunset.

What NOT to eat: Avoid salt — this is strictly observed. No non-vegetarian food, no alcohol, no oily or fried foods. Avoid anything sour (sour diminishes Sun's dignity in classical texts).

Worship: Perform Surya Arghya at sunrise — offer water from a copper vessel while facing east, allowing the water to flow toward the rising Sun while reciting the Surya Gayatri or Aditya Hridayam. Chant Om Suryaya Namah or the 12 Aditya mantras. Wear orange, red, or gold. Avoid sleeping during the day on Sundays.

Your birth chart reveals which planets are weak, debilitated, or under malefic influence. Fasting on that planet's weekday is the primary remedy. Some common prescriptions:

• Weak Moon: Begin Monday fasting for 16 consecutive Mondays (Solah Somvar Vrat) for maximum benefit
• Afflicted Mars (Mangal Dosha): Tuesday fasting for 21 consecutive weeks
• Weak Jupiter: Thursday fasting for 16 consecutive Thursdays; especially important before marriage
• Saturn in 12th, 6th, or 8th: Saturday fasting during entire Sade Sati period
• Rahu affliction: Saturday fasting in Rahu Hora (planetary hour of Rahu)
• Weak Sun: 12 consecutive Sunday fasts corresponding to 12 solar months

For a precise prescription based on your chart, use our birth chart calculator to identify your planetary strengths and weaknesses.

Wednesday is ruled by Mercury (Budha) and is sacred to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and lord of intellect. Mercury fasting benefits:

• Students, teachers, writers, traders, and businesspeople
• Those with Mercury afflictions causing communication problems, learning difficulties, or business failures
• People seeking Ganesha's blessings for new beginnings

What to eat and when: Green vegetables are Mercury's food — moong dal (green lentils), spinach, coriander, and green vegetables. Avoid sour and excessively pungent foods. One meal at midday or evening.

What NOT to eat: Avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and sour items. Some traditions say to avoid salt. Particularly avoid red foods (which strengthen Mars, Mercury's enemy).

Worship: Recite Ganesha Ashtakam or Sankat Nashan Ganesha Stotra. Offer durva grass, modak (sweet dumplings), and green flowers to Ganesha. Mercury mantra: Om Budhaya Namah, 108 times. Wear green.

---