Today's Vaar (Weekday) & Ruling Planet
Vaar (weekday) significance in the Hindu Panchang for your city.
Vaar Result
Growing up, we've all heard these from our parents at home
"Somvar ko Shiv ji ki pooja karte hain."
"Mangalvar Hanuman ji ka din hota hai."
"Guruvar ko Vishnu aur Brihaspati Dev ki pooja ki
jaati hai."
"Shanivar ko Shani Dev ka dhyan rakhna chahiye."
Have you ever wondered why our elders associate each day of the week with a particular deity or planet? In the Hindu calendar, every day of the week is known as a 'Vaar'. According to Vedic astrology, each Vaar is ruled by a specific planet.
Unlike the modern calendar, where Monday or Tuesday is simply another weekday, the Hindu calendar believes that every Vaar carries its own energy, significance, and traditions.
This is why you'll often find people observing Somvar Vrat, fasting on Mangalvar, worshipping Lakshmi and Vishnu on Guruvar, or offering prayers to Shani Dev on Shanivar. Many families also consider the Vaar before planning religious ceremonies, observing fasts, or beginning important activities.
While Tithi tells us the lunar day and Nakshatra describes the Moon's position, Vaar reminds us that every day has its own identity. Understanding today's Vaar helps us appreciate why certain rituals, festivals, and traditions are observed on specific days and how these practices continue to remain a meaningful part of everyday life.
What is Vaar?
A 'Vaar' simply means the day of the week in the Hindu calendar. However, unlike the modern calendar, where days are just names, each Vaar in Vedic astrology is associated with a ruling planet and is believed to carry its unique qualities and influence. The seven Vaars of the Hindu Calendar are:
- Ravivaar (Sunday) – Ruled by the Sun (Surya)
- Somvaar (Monday) – Ruled by the Moon (Chandra)
- Mangalvaar (Tuesday) – Ruled by Mars (Mangal)
- Budhvaar (Wednesday) – Ruled by Mercury (Budh)
- Guruvaar (Thursday) – Ruled by Jupiter (Brihaspati/Guru)
- Shukravaar (Friday) – Ruled by Venus (Shukra)
- Shanivaar (Saturday) – Ruled by Saturn (Shani)
These are not just the names of the days. They are named after the seven planets recognised in Vedic astrology. Each planet is associated with different qualities, such as wisdom, courage, wealth, discipline, emotions, communication, or leadership. Because of this, every Vaar is believed to carry a unique energy and importance.
This is why certain fasts, prayers, and religious observances are associated with specific days of the week. For example, Somvaar is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Mangalvaar to Lord Hanuman, and Shanivaar is for Lord Shani. Understanding today's Vaar helps you appreciate the traditions and spiritual practices.
Why is Vaar important in Vedic astrology?
According to Vedic astrology, planets influence different areas of life. Since each weekday is connected with a specific planet, the energy of that planet is considered while choosing timings for certain activities. For example:
- Sunday is connected with confidence, leadership, and vitality.
- Monday is connected with emotions, peace, and the mind.
- Tuesday is connected with courage, strength, and action.
- Thursday is connected with wisdom, knowledge, and growth.
By understanding Vaar along with other Panchang elements, people choose timings that are considered favourable for their activities.
How is Today's Vaar Determined?
Unlike Tithi or Choghadiya, Vaar is not calculated using the positions of the Sun and the Moon. It follows the regular seven-day weekly cycle, with each day being associated with a specific ruling planet in Vedic astrology. Here's how today's Vaar is determined:
Step 1: Identify the Current Day
The first step is to determine the current day of the week, namely Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.
Step 2: Assign the Corresponding Vaar
Each weekday has a corresponding Vaar in the Hindu calendar:
- Sunday – Ravivaar
- Monday – Somvaar
- Tuesday – Mangalvaar
- Wednesday – Budhvaar
- Thursday – Guruvaar
- Friday – Shukravaar
- Saturday – Shanivaar
Step 3: Identify the Ruling Planet
Every Vaar is associated with a ruling planet according to Vedic astrology. For example, Somvaar is ruled by the Moon (Chandra), while Shanivaar is ruled by Saturn (Shani). The qualities of the ruling planet are believed to influence the day.
Step 4: Combine It with the Panchang
Once today's Vaar is identified, it is considered alongside other elements of the Panchang, namely Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, and planetary positions, to gain a complete understanding of the day's traditional and astrological significance.
Although the Vaar remains the same throughout the day, its importance is better understood when viewed together with the other Panchang elements. It helps people plan festivals, fasts, religious ceremonies, and other important activities in accordance with Vedic traditions.
The Seven Vaar of the Hindu Calendar and Their Significance
Ravivaar (Sunday) – Ruled by the Sun
The sun represents confidence, authority, energy, and leadership. Sunday is traditionally considered connected with activities related to self-confidence, health, and personal growth. It is also considered an important day for Sun-related prayers and spiritual practices.
Somvaar (Monday) – Ruled by the Moon
The moon represents emotions, thoughts, peace, and intuition. Monday is considered especially significant for worship of Lord Shiva and is associated with mental peace and emotional balance.
Mangalvaar (Tuesday) – Ruled by Mars
Mars represents courage, strength, determination, and action. Tuesday is associated with energy and discipline. Many devotees observe fasts and perform prayers dedicated to Lord Hanuman on this day.
Budhvaar (Wednesday) – Ruled by Mercury
Mercury represents intelligence, communication, learning, and business skills. Wednesday is considered favourable for activities related to studies, communication, and analytical work.
Guruvaar (Thursday) – Ruled by Jupiter
Jupiter represents wisdom, knowledge, prosperity, and spirituality. Thursday is considered an important day for learning, religious activities, and seeking blessings from teachers and elders.
Shukravaar (Friday) – Ruled by Venus
Venus represents love, beauty, relationships, comfort, and creativity. Friday is associated with prosperity, artistic activities, and relationship-related matters.
Shanivaar (Saturday) – Ruled by Saturn
Saturn represents discipline, patience, responsibility, and karma. Saturday is considered a day for reflection, devotion, and understanding the importance of hard work and discipline.
Vaar and Muhurat Selection
If you've ever wondered how astrologers choose the most auspicious time for a wedding, house-warming, business inauguration, or another important occasion, Vaar is one of the first factors they consider. However, it is not the only one.
A Muhurat is determined by carefully analysing several elements of the Panchang, including:
- Vaar (Weekday)
- Tithi (Lunar Day)
- Nakshatra (Lunar Constellation)
- Yoga
- Karana
- Planetary Positions
Each Vaar is ruled by a different planet and is believed to carry a unique energy. This is why the right Vaar depends on the kind of activity being planned. A day considered suitable for a religious ceremony may not always be the preferred choice for starting a business or making an important investment. By considering all these Panchang elements together, astrologers identify a Muhurat that aligns with the purpose of an event.
Areas Where Checking Today's Vaar Can Help
While Vaar is not the only factor considered in Vedic astrology, many people check it before planning important activities, including:
- Starting a New Business: Entrepreneurs often consider the day's ruling planet before opening a new office, launching a product, or beginning a new business venture.
- Beginning a New Job: Starting a new job is an important milestone. Many people prefer to begin their professional journey on a day traditionally associated with positive energy and growth.
- Religious Activities and Fasting: Several Hindu fasts and devotional practices are observed on specific Vaars, such as Somvaar Vrat dedicated to Lord Shiva or Shanivaar prayers dedicated to Lord Shani.
- Important Meetings and Decisions: Some people consider the day's significance before attending important meetings, signing agreements, or making major personal and professional decisions.
- Travel and New Beginnings: Whether it's starting a journey, moving into a new home, or beginning a new project, many families check today's Vaar as part of their traditional planning.
Vaar and Panchang: How Are They Connected?
Think of the Panchang as a house that brings together the five essential elements needed to understand the day's significance. Vaar is one of the members of this house, working alongside Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana to provide a complete picture of the day.
While Tithi reflects the lunar day and Nakshatra describes the Moon's position, Vaar gives information about the ruling planet and the unique qualities associated with each day of the week. Together, these elements help people understand the traditional significance of the day and plan festivals, fasts, religious ceremonies, and other important activities.
So, if the Panchang is the house, Vaar is one of its key residents, helping complete the picture of the day's energy and importance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Vaar
What is Vaar in astrology?
'Vaar' refers to the day of the week and its connection with a ruling planet in Vedic astrology.
How many Vaars are there?
There are seven Vaars: Ravivaar, Somvaar, Mangalvaar, Budhvaar, Guruvaar, Shukravaar, and Shanivaar.
Why is Vaar important in Panchang?
Vaar helps understand the planetary influence and energy associated with a particular day.
Which planet rules Sunday?
Sunday is ruled by the Sun (Surya), symbolising confidence, leadership, vitality, authority, and self-expression.
Which planet rules Monday?
Monday is ruled by the Moon (Chandra), symbolising emotions, intuition, peace, mental well-being, and compassion.
Which planet rules Tuesday?
Tuesday is ruled by Mars (Mangal), symbolising courage, strength, determination, confidence, and action.
Which planet rules Thursday?
Thursday is ruled by Jupiter (Brihaspati/Guru), symbolising wisdom, knowledge, prosperity, spiritual growth, and good fortune.
Why do people observe fasts on specific days?
Many people observe fasts on specific Vaars because each day is associated with a particular deity and planetary energy.
Is Vaar part of Panchang?
Yes, Vaar is one of the five main elements of Panchang.