What is called Tuesday fasting?
Devotees fast on Tuesdays in honor of Durga, Kali, Ganesha, and Hanuman, offering heartfelt prayers to these deities. In North India, Tuesday is dedicated especially to Lord Hanuman. In South India, the day is sacred to Mariamman, a form of Shakti. Some also fast for Lord Murugan. In North India, this Tuesday fast is called Mangal Vaar Vrat.
‘Mangal’ means auspicious, and Mars, which rules Tuesday, symbolizes power, endurance, vitality, and courage. Devotees fast on Tuesday to counteract Mars's inauspicious effects.
What is the significance of Tuesday fasting?
Fasting on Tuesday makes one introspect. Dedicated Tuesday fasting and prayer bestow courage, inner strength, and perseverance. It eliminates fears and helps devotees embrace the unwavering faith like Lord Hanuman.
By abstaining from food, one trains their bodies and minds, developing a sense of restraint that can extend beyond Tuesday fasting days. This fasting teaches devotees to overcome their desires and focus on true matters, nurturing a sense of clarity and determination.
Through Tuesday fasting, devotees offer their sincere prayers and express their devotion and gratitude to the deity. They pray and seek Lord Hanuman / Lord Ganesha / Goddess Durga's blessings for protection, guidance and success.
Observing Tuesday fasting helps devotees align with the cosmic energies associated with this auspicious fasting on Tuesday. Devotees strongly believe that the positive vibrations and blessings of Lord Hanuman vibrate strongly on Tuesdays, strengthening the benefits of Tuesday fasting and prayers.
What is the procedure for the Tuesday fast?
Tuesday fasting, or Mangalvar Vrat, starts in the early morning and continues until evening. Some take food made of wheat and jaggery once during the day. Devotees pray to Hanuman by chanting his Mantras, singing Bhajans, and reading the Sundarakandam chapter of the Ramayana.
Devotees also offer ghee, Vada, betel leaf garland, Tulsi, Sindhoor, etc. Many continue fasting for 21 consecutive Tuesdays.
In South India, many people observe fasting on Tuesday for Lord Murugan, who rules the planet Mars. They chant Kanda Shasti Kavasam, Kanda Guru Kavasam to praise him, light lamps, offer red flowers, visit Murugan temples, and offer Panchamirtham, bananas, and sweets. They also perform special Poojas for the warrior god Murugan. Tuesday fasting and worshipping Murugan is observed for 9 consecutive Tuesdays without a break.
When should I begin the Tuesday fasting?
One can start the Tuesday fast, or Mangal Vaar Vrat, from the first Tuesday of Uttarayana (from 15th January to 15th June) and continue for 21 successive weeks. Devotees believe that observing fast on Tuesday continuously for 21 weeks can help devotees ward off all Mars-related problems, such as physical, mental, natural, and economic troubles.
What are the benefits of fasting on Tuesdays?
Observing fasting on Tuesday governs the planet Mars. The ill-placed Mars in a birth chart can cause anger, accidents, delayed marriage, legal disputes, obstacles and losses, etc.
Observing Tuesday fasting will:
• Bestow the blessings of Lord Hanuman and Lord Murugan.
• Remove obstacles and difficulties from life.
• Bless with progeny
• Improve health and provides mental clarity
• Bestow courage and strength
• Nullify black magic or supernatural powers
• Eliminate the badly placed Mars effects
• Remove the afflictions caused by Manglik, Manga Dosha (Sevvai Dosha)
What are the Mantra(s) chanted during the Tuesday fasting?
During Tuesday fasting, devotees worship Lord Hanuman and sometimes Lord Murugan / Mars. The most commonly chanted mantras during the Tuesday fasting are:
Hanuman Beej Mantra
||Om Namo Bhagavate Hanumate Namah||
Meaning of the Hanuman Beej Mantra
“I bow in reverence to Lord Hanuman, the divine symbol of strength, wisdom, devotion, and eternal protection.”
Mangal Beej Mantra
||Om Kram Kreem Kraum Sah Bhaumaya Namah||
Meaning of the Mangal Beej Mantra
“With devotion and surrender, I offer my salutations to Lord Mangal (Mars), invoking his divine power for strength, courage, discipline, and protection.”
Following Tuesday fasting practice brings profound benefits. It not only brings physical health but also improves mental clarity and spiritual comfort. The act of fasting on Tuesday has been observed in various cultures and traditions, adding a layer of historical significance to the practice.
