Lord Shiva
Every Monday (especially in the month of Sawan)
Significance
Monday (Somvar) is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Somvar vrat is kept for blessings of health, a harmonious marriage and family well-being. Unmarried women often observe the Solah Somvar (sixteen Mondays) vrat praying for a good life partner. The fast is especially powerful during the holy month of Sawan.
Vrat Vidhi (How to Observe)
- 1Bathe early and visit a Shiva temple or set up a lingam at home.
- 2Offer water, milk, bilva (bel) leaves, white flowers and dhatura to the Shiva lingam.
- 3Light a diya and chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' and the Mahamrityunjaya mantra.
- 4Keep a single meal in the evening (phalahar through the day), eaten after the puja.
- 5Read or listen to the Somvar vrat katha before breaking the fast.
Benefits
- Sought for a happy marriage and married life
- Believed to bring health, peace and removal of obstacles
- Strengthens devotion and self-control
What you can eat
- Fruits
- Milk
- Sabudana khichdi
- Kuttu puri
- Singhare ka halwa
What to avoid
- Grains (except vrat flours)
- Lentils
- Onion and garlic
- Non-vegetarian food
- Alcohol
Frequently Asked Questions
Somvar vrat kaise shuru kare?
Begin on a Monday (ideally in Sawan or Shukla Paksha) with a sankalp, and keep it for a fixed number of weeks — sixteen Mondays for the Solah Somvar vrat.
Somvar vrat mein kitni baar khana khate hain?
Most keep phalahar through the day and eat one sattvic meal in the evening after the Shiva puja.