What Is Margashirsha Guruvar Vrat?
Margashirsha Guruvar Vrat is a Thursday fast for Goddess Mahalakshmi, kept on every Thursday (Guruvar) of the holy month of Margashirsha (Agrahayana). It is especially popular in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, observed mainly by women for wealth, harmony and family well-being.
The Margashirsha month is dear to Lord Krishna, who said in the Bhagavad Gita, 'Among the months I am Margashirsha.' Worshipping Lakshmi on the Thursdays of this month is believed to bring her lasting grace into the home.
Margashirsha Guruvar Vrat 2026 - Dates
The vrat is kept on every Thursday of the Margashirsha month, which in 2026 runs roughly from late November to late December. There are usually four or five Thursdays in the month.
The first Thursday is the sthapana (establishing the kalash) and the last is the udyapan (concluding puja). Since the lunar month's start varies by region, confirm the exact Margashirsha Thursdays in your local panchang.
Puja Vidhi
1. Morning: Bathe early, clean the puja space and draw a rangoli or lotus. 2. Kalash: Place a kalash filled with water, topped with mango leaves and a coconut, and an image or coins representing Mahalakshmi. 3. Puja: Offer haldi-kumkum, akshat, red or yellow flowers, fruit and a ghee lamp. Yellow items please Guru (Brihaspati) and Lakshmi alike on a Thursday. 4. Bhog: Offer kheer or a sweet made of jaggery and gram; chana dal and banana are also offered on Thursdays. 5. Mantra & katha: Chant 'Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah' and read the vrat katha. 6. Keep a phalahar fast, eat once after the evening puja, and on the final Thursday do the udyapan with feeding of married women or Brahmins.
Katha & Benefits
The vrat katha tells of a poor but devoted woman whose sincere Thursday worship of Mahalakshmi filled her home with plenty, while a wealthy neighbour who scorned the goddess and wasted her riches lost everything - until she too humbly took up the vrat and was forgiven. The story shows that Lakshmi stays where there is devotion, cleanliness and humility, and leaves where there is pride and waste.
Benefits:
- Steady wealth and freedom from debt
- Harmony and health in the family
- The blessing of Guru (Brihaspati) along with Lakshmi on Thursdays
- A disciplined, grateful heart
As with all Lakshmi vratas, keep the home clean, speak gently, and light a lamp at dusk through the month.
Reader Questions Answered
When is Margashirsha Guruvar Vrat in 2026?+
It is kept on every Thursday of the Margashirsha month, which in 2026 runs roughly from late November to late December. Confirm the exact Thursdays and the start of Margashirsha in your local panchang.
Which goddess is worshipped in this vrat?+
Goddess Mahalakshmi, the giver of wealth and prosperity, is worshipped on the Thursdays of Margashirsha. A kalash and an image or coins represent her presence.
What should I offer on Margashirsha Thursday?+
Offer yellow or red flowers, haldi-kumkum, akshat, fruit, a ghee lamp and kheer or a jaggery-gram sweet. Yellow items and chana are especially suited to Thursdays, which honour both Lakshmi and Guru Brihaspati.
How is the vrat concluded?+
On the last Thursday of Margashirsha, do the udyapan - a full puja followed by feeding married women or Brahmins and giving daan. The kalash water is then offered to a tulsi plant or a clean place.
About the author
Anjali Mehta · Editor, M.A. Religious Studies
Anjali is the managing editor for Vandnaa and oversees the festival and vrat coverage. She holds an M.A. in Religious Studies and reviews every published article for accuracy, accessibility, and tradition-fidelity.
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