Budhwar Vrat (Wednesday — Ganesh)
बुधवार व्रत (गणेश)
The Budhwar Vrat (बुधवार व्रत) is kept on Wednesdays in honour of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and lord of wisdom and beginnings. Wednesday (Budhwar) is governed by Budh (Mercury), the planet of intellect, trade and communication, and is dedicated to Ganesha. The vrat is observed for success in work and study, harmony in the home, removal of obstacles and to strengthen Budh in the horoscope.
Fasting Rules & Vidhi
Bathe in the morning, wear clean green or yellow clothes, and take a Sankalp to keep the Wednesday vrat.
Worship Lord Ganesha — set his idol/image, offer durva grass, red/yellow flowers, modak or laddu, and light a ghee lamp.
Read or listen to the Budhwar Vrat Katha; recite the Ganesh Chalisa and "Vakratunda Mahakaya".
Chant "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" 108 times on a mala; the Ganpati Atharvashirsha may be recited for deeper worship.
Keep a fast through the day — fruits and milk, or one satvik meal of green moong/green vegetables (green is Budh's colour).
Perform the Ganesh aarti "Jai Ganesh Deva" in the evening and break the fast with the modak/laddu prasad.
Significance & Story
Ganesha is invoked first in every undertaking, so beginning the mid-week on Wednesday with his worship clears obstacles from all that follows. Wednesday's planet Budh (Mercury) rules intelligence, speech, learning and business — exactly Ganesha's domains as the god of wisdom — so the vrat is favoured by students, traders and anyone seeking clarity and success. Offering durva grass and modak, both especially dear to Ganesha, and feeding the modak prasad to others, complete the practice.
Mantras for Budhwar Vrat (Wednesday — Ganesh)
Ganesh Chalisa
जय गणपति सदगुण सदन, कविवर बदन कृपाल । विघ्न हरण मंगल करण, जय जय गिरिजालाल ॥