Somvar Vrat (Monday Vrat) is one of the most beloved Shiva vrats in Hindu tradition. This complete guide covers the traditional Monday vrat rules, food restrictions, puja vidhi, cycle options (Shravan Somvar + Solah Somvar), and udyapan (concluding ceremony).

Types of Monday Vrat

  • Simple Somvar Vrat - one day at a time
  • Sawan Somvar / Shravan Somvar - every Monday of Shravan month
  • Solah Somvar Vrat - 16 consecutive Mondays
  • Mahashivaratri Vrat - the great annual Shiva vrat (not always on Monday)
  • Pradosh Vrat when falling on Monday

Who Observes Somvar Vrat?

  • Unmarried women seeking good husbands (traditional)
  • Married women for husband's well-being + family harmony
  • Anyone seeking Shiva's grace
  • Those with health issues - especially seeking recovery
  • People facing life obstacles or transitions
  • Anyone in spiritual practice - Somvar deepens Shiva sadhana

Vrat Food Rules

  • PERMITTED - fresh fruits, milk, curd, coconut water
  • PERMITTED - sattvic vegetarian food
  • PERMITTED - sabudana (sago) khichdi
  • PERMITTED - kuttu (buckwheat), singhara (water chestnut), makhana (fox nuts)
  • PERMITTED - kheer, halwa (with jaggery)
  • PERMITTED - potato, sweet potato, pumpkin (light preparations)
  • PERMITTED - sendha namak (rock salt) only
  • AVOID - regular table salt
  • AVOID - grains (rice, wheat, oats)
  • AVOID - non-vegetarian food
  • AVOID - onion + garlic
  • AVOID - alcohol
  • One meal only (nakta bhojan) in evening after moon-sighting

The Fast Structure

  • Duration: sunrise to moonrise (nirjala for strict observers, modified for most)
  • Nirjala option - without water (advanced practice)
  • Modified - fruits + water + coconut water permitted
  • One meal in evening after moon sighting
  • Break fast with prasad + light meal (sabudana khichdi + fruits typical)

Solah Somvar Vrat (16 Mondays)

Rules

  • 16 consecutive Mondays without missing any
  • Start on any auspicious Monday (Shukla Paksha preferred)
  • Complete cycle with proper udyapan on 17th Monday if needed
  • Miss one Monday - restart the cycle (traditional strict rule)
  • Extended fasting + puja discipline over 4 months

Common Reasons for Solah Somvar

  • Good future husband (unmarried women)
  • Family well-being + husband's health (married women)
  • Progeny (couples seeking children)
  • Marriage of children
  • Business/career growth
  • Removal of major life obstacles

Shravan Somvar Vrat

The Sacred Month

  • Shravan month (July-August traditionally)
  • Every Monday of Shravan is a major Shiva day
  • Kanwar Yatra tradition - devotees carry Ganga water to Shiva temples
  • Extended puja + fasting throughout the month
  • Community observance - traditional Shravan Somvar gathering common

Shravan Somvar Practices

  • Extended Rudra Abhishekam
  • Extra bilva leaves + white flowers
  • Sri Rudram + Chamakam recitation
  • Extended japa - 1008 or 108 x 108 of 'Om Namah Shivaya'
  • Visit Shiva temples with family
  • Community aarti + bhajans
  • Prasad distribution + charity

Monday Puja Vidhi During Vrat

  1. Wake before sunrise
  2. Bathe with cold water (traditional purification)
  3. Wear white clothes
  4. Sankalpa - state the vrat + cycle number
  5. Ganesha vandana
  6. Shiva puja: Abhishekam + bilva leaves + flowers
  7. 108 japa 'Om Namah Shivaya' minimum (extended for vrat)
  8. Read Shiva Chalisa or Rudra mantra
  9. Naivedyam - fruits + sabudana khichdi
  10. Aarti with camphor
  11. Continue fast throughout day
  12. Evening - moonrise puja
  13. Break fast with prasad + light meal

Udyapan (Concluding Ceremony)

After completing your chosen cycle, perform udyapan on the final Monday:

  1. Full Shiva puja with elaborate abhishekam
  2. Rudra Homa (fire ritual) if possible
  3. Feed 5-16 Brahmins or needy
  4. Donate white items: white cloth, milk, coconut, dhatura seeds
  5. Distribute prasad widely
  6. Formal completion prayer + gratitude to Shiva
  7. Community feast if resources permit

What NOT to Do During Somvar Vrat

  • Do not consume salt (regular; sendha OK)
  • Do not eat non-vegetarian
  • Do not engage in anger + harsh speech
  • Do not sleep during day
  • Do not use alcohol/tobacco
  • Do not lend money on Monday (some traditions)
  • Do not wear black clothes
  • Do not cut hair or nails on Monday of vrat

Common Modern Adaptations

  • Working professionals - modified fast with water + fruits during day
  • Health conditions - consult doctor before extended cycle
  • Diabetics + pregnant women - modified fast with medical guidance
  • Community WhatsApp for shared practice + support
  • Online Sri Rudram recitations for evening practice
  • Home puja + weekly temple visit combination

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What if I miss one Monday during Solah Somvar?

Traditional teaching: vrat is broken; restart from Monday 1. Some teachers permit continuation with sincere apology; consult family purohit.

Advertisement

Can I use sendha namak during Somvar Vrat?

Yes - rock salt (sendha namak) is permitted. Regular table salt is avoided.

Which mantra to chant during Somvar Vrat?

'Om Namah Shivaya' is the panchakshari - the core Shiva mantra. Chant 108 times minimum. Add Mahamrityunjaya + Rudram for extended practice.

Can men do Solah Somvar Vrat?

Absolutely - Somvar Vrat is not gender-restricted. Men + women both benefit.

Advertisement
  • Importance of Sunday in Hinduism
  • Ravivar Puja Vidhi
  • Aditya Hridayam - Sunday Sun Worship
  • Hindu Days of the Week
  • Weekly Puja Guide