Fasting for Planets (Vrat): Monday to Sunday Planet Remedies
Each day of the week is ruled by a planet, and fasting on that day is one of Vedic astrology's most accessible remedies. Learn which day to fast for which planetary problem.
Why Each Day of the Week Has a Ruling Planet
In Vedic astrology, each day of the week is governed by one of the seven classical planets — a system that predates written history and is reflected even in the modern Western calendar (Saturday = Saturn’s day, Sunday = Sun’s day, Monday = Moon’s day). On each day, that planet’s cosmic energy is amplified, making fasts, prayers, and donations aligned with that planet’s energy exponentially more effective than on other days. Planetary fasting (Grah Vrat) is one of the most accessible, cost-free, and universally recommended remedies in Vedic astrology — it requires only discipline and intention, no gemstones or puja materials.
Sunday (Ravivar) — Sun (Surya)
Sunday is ruled by the Sun — the planet of soul, authority, vitality, and father. The Sunday fast is prescribed for those experiencing Sun afflictions: lack of confidence, poor relationship with father or authority figures, government troubles, career recognition problems, and eye diseases (Sun governs eyes in Vedic physiology). The Sunday fast requires abstaining from salt and wheat-based foods throughout the day. Consume only one meal after sunset — typically made from sabudana (tapioca), fruits, milk, and root vegetables. Avoid non-vegetarian food. Offer water to the Sun at sunrise (Surya Arghya) using a copper vessel — this is the most direct Sun remedy and should accompany the fast. The Sunday fast specifically helps with: ego integration, government and authority relationships, career recognition, and vitality improvement.
Food Guidelines:
- Sabudana (tapioca), fruits, and milk
- Rock salt (sendha namak) as a salt substitute
- Root vegetables
- Avoid wheat and common table salt
Monday (Somvar) — Moon (Chandra)
Monday (Somvar) is governed by the Moon — the planet of mind, emotions, mother, and water. The Monday fast (Somvar Vrat) is one of the most popular in India, dedicated to Lord Shiva who holds the Moon in his matted locks. It is recommended for: emotional instability, Moon-related anxiety and depression, troubled relationship with the mother, irregular menstrual cycles (for women), and sleep disorders. Monday fasting involves consuming only milk, curd, white foods, and rice — the Moon's associated foods. Avoid black and red foods. Break the fast after moonrise in the evening. Worshipping Shivalinga with milk abhishek on Mondays is the most direct Moon remedy. Monday fasting specifically helps with: mental peace, emotional regulation, relationship harmony, and improved intuition.
Food Guidelines:
- Milk, curd, and white foods
- Rice and sabudana
- Coconut water
- Avoid black and red foods
Tuesday (Mangalvar) — Mars (Mangal)
Tuesday (Mangalvar) is ruled by Mars — the planet of energy, courage, aggression, brothers, and property. The Tuesday fast is prescribed for: Mangal Dosha, property disputes, accidents, surgical procedures (Mars governs surgery), aggression and anger management, and competition issues. Tuesday fasting involves avoiding red foods and non-vegetarian food. Consume wheat, jaggery, and ginger-based foods — which are Mars-associated. Worship Lord Hanuman and Lord Kartikeya (both Mars-associated deities) with red flowers and sindoor. The most important Tuesday practice is Hanuman Chalisa recitation (11 or 21 times), combined with the fast. Tuesday fasting specifically helps with: physical strength and stamina, reducing anger and aggression, property-related legal issues, and protecting against accidents.
Food Guidelines:
- Wheat, jaggery, and ginger
- Masoor dal (red lentils)
- Red-colored sweets offered to Hanuman
- Avoid meat and excessive red foods
Wednesday (Budhvar) — Mercury (Budh)
Wednesday (Budhvar) is governed by Mercury — the planet of intellect, communication, business, and learning. Wednesday fasting is recommended for: Mercury afflictions causing poor communication and speech problems, business failures, learning difficulties, nervous system issues, and skin problems (Mercury governs skin and nerves). Wednesday fasting involves consuming green foods — spinach, green leafy vegetables, and green lentils (moong dal) — which are Mercury's colors and foods. Worship Lord Vishnu and Goddess Saraswati with green offerings. Wednesday fasting specifically helps with: sharpened intellect, improved communication, business success, better memory, and skin health improvement.
Food Guidelines:
- Green vegetables and spinach
- Moong dal (green lentils)
- Green cardamom and fennel
- Avoid heavy fried foods
Thursday (Guruvar) — Jupiter (Guru/Brihaspati)
Thursday (Guruvar/Brihaspati Var) is ruled by Jupiter — the planet of wisdom, education, prosperity, husband (in a woman's chart), and children. Thursday fasting is recommended for: Jupiter afflictions causing lack of wisdom and knowledge, obesity and liver problems, delayed marriage or childbirth, financial instability, and poor relationship with teachers or husband. Thursday fasting involves consuming bananas (the most sacred Jupiter food), yellow dal (chana dal or moong dal with turmeric), and yellow-colored foods. Avoid cutting hair or shaving on Thursdays — associated with Jupiter and teachers. Offer banana and yellow sweets to Jupiter's deity (Vishnu or Guru). Thursday fasting helps with: attracting wealth and prosperity, improving education and knowledge, blessing marriages and children, and enhancing spiritual wisdom.
Food Guidelines:
- Banana (Jupiter's most sacred food)
- Yellow dal (chana dal) with turmeric
- Yellow sweets (besan laddoo)
- Avoid meat and very salty foods
Friday (Shukravar) — Venus (Shukra)
Friday (Shukravar) is governed by Venus — the planet of love, beauty, relationships, luxury, and wife (in a man's chart). Friday fasting is recommended for: Venus afflictions causing relationship problems, marital discord, lack of romantic attraction, artistic blockages, and reproductive health issues. Friday fasting involves consuming milk, white sweets, white rice, and sugar-based foods — Venus's colors and foods. Offer milk, white flowers (lotus, jasmine), and kheer (rice pudding) to Goddess Lakshmi or Mahalakshmi — Venus's presiding deity. Worship Durga or Lakshmi on Friday evenings with incense and white offerings. Friday fasting specifically helps with: improving love relationships, attracting a suitable partner, enhancing beauty and creative talents, marital harmony, and financial prosperity.
Food Guidelines:
- Milk and white sweets
- White rice and kheer (rice pudding)
- Sugar and mishri (rock sugar)
- Avoid meat and very sour foods
Saturday (Shanivar) — Saturn (Shani)
Saturday (Shanivar) is ruled by Saturn — the planet of karma, discipline, justice, and the working class. The Saturday fast (Shanivar Vrat) is the most potent planetary fast for karmic relief, Sade Sati mitigation, and career support. It is recommended for: Saturn afflictions causing delays and obstacles, Sade Sati and Dhaiya periods, career stagnation, chronic bad luck, and karmic debt reduction. Saturday fasting involves: avoid oil (don't apply oil to hair or body — a common misconception is that donating oil to others on Saturday is enough, but not consuming oily foods is equally important), black sesame, and urad dal in the diet. Donate black sesame and mustard oil to the needy or pour mustard oil on a Shani idol. Feed crows (Shani's birds) and black dogs. Light a mustard oil lamp under a Peepal tree at sunset. Saturday fasting specifically helps with: karmic debt reduction, Sade Sati relief, career support, removing chronic obstacles, and attracting Saturn's justice and discipline blessings.
Food Guidelines:
- Black sesame and urad dal
- Sesame laddoos (til ke laddoo)
- Black grapes or dark-colored foods
- Avoid excessively oily and spicy foods
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fast for multiple planets on multiple days simultaneously?
Yes — fasting for 2-3 days per week is common and manageable. Many devout practitioners fast on Monday (Moon), Tuesday (Mars), and Saturday (Saturn) simultaneously, which covers the most commonly afflicting planets. However, fasting on all 7 days is considered excessive and may not be sustainable or even necessary. Focus on the planets most relevant to your current challenges — if you’re experiencing career problems, prioritize Saturday (Saturn) and Sunday (Sun); if relationship issues, Monday (Moon) and Friday (Venus).
Do I need to completely abstain from food to get the benefits of a planetary fast?
Complete abstinence (nirjala vrat — no food or water) is the most powerful form but is physically demanding and not required. Partial fasting — consuming only the specific foods associated with that planet (e.g., milk and white foods on Monday, bananas on Thursday) — is the most common and sustainable approach. Even simply avoiding the planet’s contraindicated foods (e.g., avoiding salt and wheat on Sunday) while eating simply counts as a valid planetary fast and creates measurable karmic benefit.
Which planetary fast is most important to start if I can only do one?
Saturn’s Saturday fast (Shanivar vrat) is considered the most impactful single planetary fast in Vedic tradition, because Saturn governs karma, obstacles, and the overall flow of life’s rewards. If Saturn is unfavorable in your chart or you’re in a Sade Sati period, Saturday fasting has the broadest life-improving effect. If you’re specifically dealing with relationship or health issues, Monday’s Moon fast or Friday’s Venus fast would be more targeted and immediately useful.
GrahAI Expert Team
Vedic Astrologer & Data Scientist
Our expert team combines decades of Vedic astrology practice with advanced AI data science to provide the most accurate, authentic, and research-backed astrological insights.
You May Also Like
Does your Kundli tell a different story?
Stop reading general principles. Generate your exact birth chart instantly using our AI-driven Vedic engine to see exactly what the planets say about you.