THURSDAY VRAT

बृहस्पतिवार का व्रत 

* We worship Lord Vishnu this day *
  *Eat food only once, the food should include Bengal gram(Chana dal) and no salt *
* The yellow colour is significant - wear yellow clothes, offer yellow flowers *
* Banana is worshipped on this day *

Story related to this vrat:

Once there was a very benevolent god fearing King who was known for his generosity , no one ever returned empty handed from his court. He used to worship and perform vrat on Thursdays. His wife however, was just his opposite and used to resent his giving donations and performing pujas and vrats.

Once the King left for the forests for hunting leaving behind his Queen with her maids.

Lord Vishnu, in disguise of a Monk (Sadhu) approached the queen and asked for alms( donation , bhiksha). The Queen , true to her character told Him that she was fed up of all the wealth she possessed as this was not giving her happiness, and wished that the wealth be taken away from her. The Lord was surprised because it is believed that children and money bring happiness and everyone aspires to have them. He advised her that if she possessed surplus wealth , she should utilize it to feed the poor, donate to Brahmins, construct wells and Dharamshalas ( resting places for monks and devoted people), develop gardens etc. However the Queen would have none of it and was adamant that her wish be fulfilled. The Monk finally told her that Lord would fulfill her desires -- to make her wish come true, she should cover the house with cowdung, wash her hair, ask the King to shave, eat and drink etc. for seven Thursdays.

The Queen followed his instructions and after three Thursdays only all her wealth was finished and she was left to lead a life of penury, hunger and misery. The King too decided to leave the town in search for some work. He took up the job of a woodcutter and could barely manage two meals.

In dire straits, the maids advised the Queen to approach her wealthy sister for help. A maid was sent to the sister but she could not meet her as she was busy listening to the story of Thursday vrat . The sister did not want to get interrupted and therefore did not acknowledge her presence. However she visited the Queen later and seeing her condition advised her to perform the Thursday vrat and worship the Lord .

When Thursday came, the Queen somehow managed to arrange for the puja and offerings and prayed to Lord Vishnu. This went on for some weeks and finally the God bestowed all her wealth once again. Having fulfilled her desires for wealth, the Queen started to feel lazy in performing vrats on Thursdays but her maids cautioned her that she should not forget that the Lord was gracious in returning her wealth and she should ever remain grateful to Him.

The Queen realised her mistake and made it a ritual to perform vrats on Thursdays.