Fasting on Friday

Friday Fast

Friday or Shukrawar is dedicated to Mother Goddess Santoshi and the planet Venus or Shukra. Friday fasts are also done to please Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth). People keep this fast for marriage, happy married life, luxury, the gain of wealth, gain of vehicle, to potentiate the effects of the planet Venus, etc.

About Fasting On Friday To Please Goddess Santoshi

Friday or Shukrawar is dedicated to Mother Goddess-Santoshi and the planet Venus or Shukra. Friday fasts are also done to please Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth). Venus is believed to provide wealth and joy. If worshipped with purity and full devotion, Santoshi Maa fulfills all the desires of the devotees. This fast is generally observed by ladies to please Santoshi Maa.

This fast is observed from sunrise to sunset and white color is considered important on Friday. So, people wear white clothes after taking bathe. Bengal gram (chana) and jaggery (gur) is offered to the Goddess on this day. White colored flowers and rice is offered during prayers. Meal is taken once in the evening and it consists of white colored food or dessert mainly kheer or payasam. It is mandatory to avoid any sour food items. Shukrawar Vrat Katha is also recited in the evening.

This fast is observed for 16 consecutive Fridays and therefore known as 'Solah Shukravar'. Devotees can recite Durga Aarti and Santoshi Maa Aarti. You can also recite the Maha Mantra of Santoshi Maa which is as follows-

Chanting of Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is considered beneficial and should be recited 108 times. The mantra is as follows-

"Om Shri Santoshi Mahamaya Gajanandam Dayini,
Shukravar Priye Devi Narayani Namostute"

People who keep this fast for reducing the negative effects of Venus, can recite the Shukra Beej Mantra 108 times.

"Om Draam Dreem Draum Sah Shukraya Namah"

People worship Shukra for a happy married life. Venus is believed to bring wealth, comfort and attraction to opposite sex. Regular chanting of Shukra Beej Mantra enhances magnetism and persuasive capabilities. In our body, Venus rules over eyes, throat, chin, reproductive system, cheeks and kidney. Donating Curd, rice and milk to a cow is considered beneficial.

Chanting of Shukra Mantra, facing south-east direction can also reduce the malefic effects and influence of Venus

"Om Aim Aim Gam Grahesvara Shuraya Namah"

People keep this fast for marriage, married life, luxury, gain of wealth, gain of vehicle , to potentiate the effects of the planet Venus etc .