Thursday (Guruvar or Brihaspativar) is associated with Vishnu and with Brihaspati, the guru of the gods. Many households keep a quiet Thursday routine of Vishnu worship, yellow offerings and a vrat.
Elements of a Thursday Vishnu puja
- Colour. Yellow is linked to Thursday: yellow flowers, turmeric, chana dal and yellow sweets are commonly offered.
- Tulsi. Tulsi leaves are especially dear to Vishnu. Offer them to the deity, and avoid plucking tulsi on Ekadashi and on Sundays, a widely followed custom.
- Mantra. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya is the twelve-syllable mantra; Om Namo Narayanaya is the eight-syllable one.
- Vishnu Sahasranama. The thousand names of Vishnu, found in the Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva) and taught by Bhishma to Yudhishthira, are recited by many families on Thursdays or on Ekadashi.
- Banana plant. In several regions, devotees water the banana plant on Thursday and circumambulate it as part of Brihaspati worship.
Satyanarayan Katha
The Satyanarayan puja, with its katha of five chapters, is a household ritual to Vishnu in the form of Satyanarayan. It is performed on Purnima, on Thursdays, at housewarmings and on other milestones, and usually ends with panchamrit and prasad.
Ekadashi
Ekadashi, the eleventh tithi of each fortnight, is the most important Vishnu vrat. Check the panchang and the Ekadashi page for the dates and the parana (fast-breaking) time.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast on Thursdays? It is optional; a sattvic meal is the minimum many families keep.
Can I do Satyanarayan puja without a priest? Many families read the katha themselves; a priest is customary for a full ceremony.
Related on Darshya
This guide describes common tradition. Practices differ by region, sampradaya and family; if your family follows a different custom, follow that, and ask your family priest when in doubt.