Meaning and Significance of Brihaspatvar Puja

Brihaspathi or Jupiter stands in the foremost position in the solar system after the Sun and is titled as “Guru” of the Universe. With respect and reverence Guru Brihaspati is considered as the celestial preceptor of the Gods.

Meaning of Brihaspatvar Puja
In Hinduism, all seven days of a week is entitled and dedicated to a particular God in the Hindu religious beliefs. Brihaspatiwar means Thursday (also called Gurubar) and the day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Brihaspati, the Guru of Devas. Yellow is the color of the day. Devotees observe a fast on this day, perform puja, offer bhog, flowers and fruits to the Lord and recite BrihaspatiwarVrata Katha to attain good health and success. In some regions of India, devotees worship banana or plantain and water them religiously.

Significance of Brihaspatvar Puja
According to Hindu mythology, performing puja for Bhraspati or Guru (Jupiter) Devata on every Thursday brings good health, cures ailments and disorders of the stomach and aids to ward off the sins. The worshipper also gains strength, long life and valor. Lord Brihaspathi if pleased, grants the boon of father-hood to the childless, happy life, good values and academic success.

Brihaspatvar Puja fast has numerous stories associated as they have come up from the local folklore prejudices; these stories vary from one region to the other.