In Hinduism, each day of the week is associated with a specific deity or deities, and devotees often observe special rituals and worship on these days. The association of days with particular deities is part of Hindu religious traditions and practices.
Here’s a list of the days of the week along with their associated deities:
- Sunday (Ravivāra): Sunday is associated with the Sun god, Surya. Devotees may perform rituals and prayers to honor Surya on this day. Red or Gold is the color of the day and red flowers are offered to Surya Ravivar, or Sunday, is dedicated to Lord Surya or Suryanarayana.
- Monday (Somavāra): Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiv and his consort Goddess Parvati. It is said that Lord Shiva is easily pleased. Shiv is associated with the Moon god, Chandra (Soma). Devotees may offer prayers and conduct rituals to seek blessings from Chandra(Moon) on Mondays. White is the preferred color on the day.
- Tuesday (Maṅgalavāra): Tuesday is dedicated to Lord Ganesh, Durga, Goddess Kali and Lord Hanuman. Most devotees visit Devi and Hanuman shrines. It is also associated with the planet Mars, Mangala (Angāraka). Mars is considered a powerful and fiery deity. Worshiping on Tuesdays is believed to bring strength and courage. Red is the preferred color on the day.
- Wednesday (Budhavāra): Wednesday is dedicated to planet Mercury,Budha and Lord Vithal, an incarnation of Krishna. Devotees may worship Lord Vishnu or Lord Krushna on Wednesdays. Green is the preferred color of the day. The day is highly auspicious for starting new ventures and it is believed that those who observe the Vrat are bound to get blessed with fortunes.
- Thursday (Guru/Bṛhaspativāra): Thursday is associated with the planet Jupiter, Brihaspati (Guru). Devotees often worship Lord Vishnu and its incarnations, Lord Shiv, or Lord Brihaspati on Thursdays. Thurdsay is also popularly known as Gurubar or Guruvar. Yellow is the color of the day.
- Friday (Śukravāra): Friday is dedicated to Shakti – the Mother Goddess – Mahalakshmi, Santhosi Ma, Annapuraneshwari and Durga in Hinduism – and Shukra or Venus. Devotees may worship the goddess Lakshmi, who is associated with wealth and prosperity, on Fridays. One of the most important Vrat or Upvaas (fast) on the day is dedicated to Santhoshi Matha (an incarnation of Shakti). The fasting is also known as ‘Solah Shukravar Vrats because a devotee fasts for 16 consecutive Fridays. White or Pink color is given importance on Friday.
- Saturday (Shanivāra): Saturday is dedicated to alleviating the bad influence of Lord Shani. Devotees may worship Lord Shani or Lord Hanuman on Saturdays. Black/Blue is the color of the day and people visit Shani shrine or Navagraha shrines.
It’s important to note that these associations can vary in different regions and among different sects within Hinduism. Additionally, individuals may choose to worship specific deities based on their personal preferences, family traditions, or astrological beliefs. The days of the week, known as “Vāra” or “Vāsara,” play a role in shaping the weekly religious observances and rituals of many Hindus.