गुरुवार
Thursday
Deities of the day
No deity here is "the" deity of the day — each association is named at equal standing.
भगवान विष्णु
Vishnu
The preserver — Thursdays favour yellow offerings, chana dal with ghee, and tulsi; the Vishnu Sahasranama is recited.
बृहस्पति (गुरु)
Brihaspati (Guru)
Jupiter, the graha the day is named for and the devas' preceptor — worshipped for wisdom and a guru's blessing, with the Brihaspativar Vrat Katha; many households with marriageable children keep this fast.
साईं बाबा
Sai Baba
Honoured on Thursdays with a fast and a visit to a Sai temple — among the most widely-observed Thursday practices today, kept across communities.
Mantra for the day
Mantra text
oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
Transliteration is under scholarly review — treat as provisional.
Om, salutations to Bhagavan Vasudeva (Vishnu / Krishna).
Offerings & bhog
- Chana dal with ghee and a pinch of turmeric
- Yellow sweets (besan ladoo)
- Tulsi leaves
Fasting & vrat
Guruvar Vrat — a yellow-themed fast (yellow food, often no salt, one meal), kept for a guru's blessings, knowledge, marriage prospects, and Brihaspati's favour; many recite the Brihaspativar Vrat Katha. The Thursday Sai fast is kept in the same spirit.
Regional & traditional variants
Brihaspativar Vrat Katha
The Thursday Brihaspati fast has its own katha, widely read for prosperity and a good match — especially in families with marriageable children.
Mantras
About this
Weekday-deity worship varies by region and family tradition — this is one common form. For any major observance, follow a pandit's guidance.