Mangal, the god with the red body, is worshipped on Tuesday. He tests his devotees time and again, and a rigorous fast on a Tuesday relieves one of all obstacles in life.

One day, an old lady was performing her fast. A devotee worshipper, she had named her son Mangaliya. Wanting to test her faith, Mangal appeared in the guise of a poor Brahmin. He wanted the old lady to cook some rice for him. The lady refused saying that she could not cook on a Tuesday. The Brahmin then asked her to prepare the cow-dung plastered pit for the fire to be lit. The lady refused to touch the cow dung on a Tuesday.

The angry Brahmin then said that he would light the fire on her son's back. She begged for her son's life. However knowing that breaking a fast brings great misfortune she called her son.

Seeing her devotion, Mangal changed back into his true form and blessed her and went away.