Thursday Guruvar Vrat (Vishnu/Brihaspati Fast)
गुरुवार व्रत (विष्णु/बृहस्पति व्रत)
Guruvar Vrat (गुरुवार व्रत) is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Brihaspati Dev (Jupiter). Thursday is the day of Guru (teacher) — Brihaspati is the Guru of the Devas. This vrat brings wisdom, prosperity, marital harmony, and removes the malefic effects of Jupiter in the horoscope. Wearing yellow clothes and offering yellow flowers and chana dal is the hallmark of this vrat.
Fasting Rules & Vidhi
Wake early, bathe, and wear yellow clothes. Everything on Thursday should be yellow.
Fast the entire day. One meal of yellow-colored food in the evening — chana dal, besan items, turmeric rice.
Offer yellow flowers, bananas, yellow sweets, and chana dal to Lord Vishnu.
Read Brihaspati Vrat Katha after the puja.
Chant "Om Gurave Namah" or "Om Brim Brihaspataye Namah" 108 times.
Donate yellow items — bananas, turmeric, yellow cloth, or chana dal to a Brahmin or temple.
Significance & Story
Brihaspati (Jupiter) is the largest planet and the Guru of all Devas. A strong Jupiter brings wisdom, wealth, children, and spiritual growth. A weak Jupiter causes financial problems, delayed marriage, and lack of respect. Thursday vrat strengthens Jupiter and brings the blessings of both Brihaspati and Lord Vishnu. The vrat katha tells the story of a woodcutter who attained wealth through devoted Thursday fasting.