Somvar or Monday is a day dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, the supreme creator of the Universe. Millions of devotees worship Lord Shiva and flock to the Shiva temples on this day to express their devotion and gratitude to Mahadev. Most of the devotees also keep a partial or complete fast on this day to receive the divine blessings of Lord Shiva. Somvar Vrat is one of the popular and beneficial fasts in Hinduism. The majority of the devotees observe this vrat by sustaining on water only throughout the day. Some others prefer to have a one-time meal in the afternoon after completing the puja. Such devotees can consume milk, fruits, curd, sabudana (Tapioca), curd etc.
Significance of Observing Somvar Fast
Devotees who are facing delays in marriage or issues in their existing marriage should definitely try observing the Monday fast. This vrat helps to bring peace, harmony and bliss to marital life. Fasting on Monday is also helpful for fulfilling the wish of getting a desired life partner. As per the Shiva Purana, observing the Somvar Vrat brings good health, wealth, prosperity, peace of mind and success in job or business. Devotees who offer datura fruit and flowers to the Shivling and chant the divine Shiva mantras every Monday are believed to be blessed with progeny.
Marriages are also delayed due to Manglik Dosha, Perform Manglik Dosh Puja to remove it.
Solah Somvar Vrat
A number of legends and ancient scriptures advocate that observing the ‘Solah Somvar Vrat’, i.e. fasting consecutively for 16 Mondays can bring miraculous positive changes in the lives of the devotees. This Vrat has great significance in Hinduism and is not restricted to any age or gender. It can be observed by both males and females, irrespective of their age. In India, this Vrat is generally observed by people facing trouble in their married lives or by mothers for their children. As per the Lunar Calendar, devotees can start this Vrat on the first Monday of Sawan, Vaishakha, Jyeshtha, Chaitra, Kartika or Margashirsha months and continue the fast for the next 16 Mondays. The devotees should take a vow of observing this fast for 16 Mondays consecutively with full dedication, devotion and faith towards the Lord. It’s considered inauspicious to carelessly give up on the fast in between.
Also, learn about the Worship Methods of Lord Shiva during Sawan according to Zodiac
Early Morning Ritual for 16 Somvar Vrat
On the day of the fast, the devotees should wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath by adding black sesame seeds to the water. The devotees should also purify the atmosphere and all corners of their house by sprinkling Gangajal all over.
Somvar Vrat Puja Vidhi
- On Vrat day, wake up early in the morning, take a bath and wear fresh clothes.
- Clean the puja place and decorate it with flowers and lights. Keep the necessary puja materials such as oil lamps, instance sticks, cow ghee, fruits, sweets, vermilion, sandalwood paste, etc.
- Install the idol of Lord Shiva or a Shivling on the podium. Start the puja by offering Gangajal to the Lord and then do the Panchamrit Abhishek of the Shivling or the idol of Lord Shiva.
- Apply sandalwood paste on the idol of the Lord and offer bilva leaves, bhog, white flowers, datura flower and rice.
- Then read the Somvar Vrat Katha with utmost devotion and a pure heart.
- Again, perform the Aarti of Lord Shiva in the evening by lighting a ghee lamp. Offer water and flowers to the Shivling and the Moon.
- It’s considered auspicious to visit a Shiva temple on the Somvar Vrat day during the morning Puja or evening Aarti.
Find the Significance of Rudrabhishek Puja on Somvar
Important Mantras to Chant During Somvar Fast
1. Panchakshari Mantra
Om Namah Shivaya
- Rudra Mantra
Om Namo Bhagavate Rudraya.
- Shiva Gayatri Mantra
Om Tat Purushaya Vidmahe, Mahadevaya Dhimahi,Tanno Rudra Prachodayat.
- Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
Om Trayambakam Yajamahe, Sugandhim pustivardham,
Urwarukmivbandhanaan Mrityormuksheey mamritaat.
- Mantra for Aarti
Karpur Gauram Karunavataram, Sansara Saram Bhujagendra Haram
Sada Vasantam Hridayaaravinde, Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami.
Somvar Vrat Katha
As per the Shiva Purana, the Solah Somvar Vrat is extremely beneficial. The story goes as follows. Once, Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati decided to visit the very popular city Amravati. While travelling, they came across a beautiful Shiva Temple and thought to spend some time there. After some time, Maa Parvati saw Lord Shiva in a very cheerful mood as they began playing a dice game. The priest of the temple had also arrived by then.
With utmost excitement, Maa Parvati asked the priest to foretell who will win the dice game. The priest wasn’t prepared to answer the question and took Lord Shiva’s name in a hurry. However, Maa Parvati won the game. Then she got angry with the priest due to his lack of insight and wrong answer. She cursed him to become a leper. Within a few days, the priest became a leper, suffered a lot and led a painful life. Some years down the lane, a few fairies arrived at the temple and got to know about the plight of the priest. One of the fairies suggested the priest observe the Solah Somvar Vrat without taking a break. She also asked the priest to prepare a prasad by mixing flour, ghee and jaggery on the 17th Monday, consume it himself and distribute it among other devotees and family members.
Also Read: Importance of Somvar during the month of Sawan/Shravan
She advised the priest that if he would be able to observe this Somvar Vrat with full dedication without fail, then he would be free from this pain and leprosy. Then the fairies disappeared suddenly and the priest decided to follow their instructions. The priest was able to complete the fast and gained back his normal health soon. When Maa Parvati visited the temple again, she was surprised to see the priest in normal condition. When she enquired about the same, the priest narrated to her the entire story of the fairies. Goddess Parvati was very happy to know the secret powers and benefits of the Solah Somvar Vrat and decided to observe it. Interestingly, she was born with her beloved son Kartikeya on the seventeenth Monday.
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