Each of the seven days in a week has a special significance and is apportioned to one or more Hindu gods or goddesses and there are several folklore associated with the ritual fasting observed on these days. On the following pages, we look at the seven days, the respective planet & deities associated with the particular days, relevant tales and legends, and the gemstones and colors that are said to be lucky for those days.
Hindu devotees keep occasional ‘upvaas’or fast corresponding to the fulfillment of a vow or a belief and ‘vratas’ (fasting and observance of religious rituals) that is analogous with material or other gains. Apart from these special occasions, many devotees also fast on a particular day of the week dedicated to a particular god in the Hindu pantheon to appease him/her. Ancient sages used observances like ritual fasts to spread the awareness of different gods. Fasting and other rituals pave the path of the divine for the devotees to realize god, which is considered the sole purpose of human existence.