Budhwar (Wednesday) Vrat
(This fast is observed for acquiring education, intelligence, health, prosperity and peace)
The diety of this fast enhances the education, communication skills and intelligence of the devotee. Mercury is known as prince of planets. If a person observes 128 fasts on Wednesdays continuously he becomes very intelligent, influential and skilled in accomplishing all tasks. He enjoys all the pleasures of the world. Budhwar Vrat or Budhvar Vrat is the Wednesday fasting dedicated to Lord Ganesh and Planet Mercury. Budhwar is the day of Lord Budha (Budhan) or Planet Mercury – one of the Navagrahas or nine planets in Hindu astrology. Budh or Mercury is regarded as the wisest and the bestower of wealth and wisdom to his devotees. Lord Ganesha or Ganapathi is the god of prosperity, wealth and wisdom. Hence worshiping and observing fast dedicated to Lord Ganesh and Planet Mercury is considered very appropriate on Wednesdays.
Benefits of Budhwar Vrat or Wednesday Fast
Budhvar Vrat is observed by devotees who wish to obtain one or any of these in life
Removal of all obstacles in life
To win competitive exams and tests
To increase knowledge
For possession of fertile lands
Method of Observing Budhwar Vrat
This fast should be started from the first Wednesday of bright half of any Hindu month or it should be started from that Wednesday on which Vishakha constellation falls. Wear green clothes. Worship Budh Graha, Ganapati and Vishnu and read Bhagwat Mahapurana. Have food only once in a day. Have any dish of pulse of green lentils (Moong Daal). Recite 17 to 30 rosaries of following Mantra
Aarti Shri Ganesh Ji Ki
jay ganesh, jay ganesh, jay ganesh deva|
mata jaki parvati, pita mahadeva || jay ganesh ........
ekadant dayavant, char bhuja dhari|
mathe sindur sohe, muse ki savari || jay ganesh ........
andhan ko ankh det, korhin ko kaya|
banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya ||jay ganesh ........
har charhe, ful charhe aur charhe meva|
ladduvan ka bhog lage, sant kare seva ||jay ganesh ........
jay ganesh jay ganesh jay ganesh deva|
mata jaki parvati, pita mahadeva ||jay ganesh ........
Shri Ganesh Vandana
varnanamarthasanghanam rasanam chandasampi|
manglanam ch kartarau vande vanivinaykau ||
gajannan bhutgnadisevitan kapitthajambu fal charu bhakshanam|
umasutan shokvinashkarkan namami vighneshvar padpankajam ||