Skip to main content
Festival / seasonal vrat

Shravan Somvar Vratश्रावण सोमवार व्रत

Devoted to Lord Shiva · Every Monday of Shravan month (July-August)

Deity
Lord Shiva
Duration
Sunrise to evening puja (typically 12-14 hours), repeated for all Mondays of Shravan
Best time
Pradosh kaal (1.5 hours before and after sunset) for abhishek and aarti
Prasad
Panchamrit

Significance

Shravan Somvar is considered the most auspicious vrat dedicated to Lord Shiva, observed on every Monday of the holy month of Shravan. Devotees believe that fasting on these Mondays pleases Mahadev, who grants wishes, removes obstacles, and bestows marital harmony. The entire month is sacred as Shiva consumed the Halahala poison during Samudra Manthan in Shravan.

Who Observes

Predominantly observed by unmarried girls seeking ideal husbands, married women praying for spousal longevity, and Shiva devotees across North India, Maharashtra, and Gujarat seeking moksha.

Fasting Rules (Upvas Niyam)

  • Wake before sunrise, bathe, and wear clean clothes preferably white or saffron
  • Observe nirjala (waterless) or phalahar (fruit-only) fast until evening Shiva puja
  • Avoid grains, salt, onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian food throughout the day
  • Break fast only after offering jal-abhishek at a Shiva temple in the evening
  • Consume sattvic meal with kuttu, singhara, or sabudana preparations
  • Maintain celibacy and avoid harsh speech for all four Mondays

Rituals (Puja Vidhi)

  1. Perform Rudrabhishek with milk, honey, ghee, curd, and Ganga jal on Shivling
  2. Offer bilva patra, dhatura, aak flowers, and white sandalwood paste
  3. Recite Shiva Chalisa, Rudrashtakam, and Mahamrityunjaya Mantra 108 times
  4. Listen or read Shravan Somvar Vrat Katha after evening aarti
  5. Light a ghee lamp before Nandi and circumambulate the temple thrice
  6. Donate white items — rice, milk, sugar — to Brahmins or the needy

Prasad

Panchamrit, milk peda, white sesame ladoo, and bel patra charanamrit

Benefits (Phal)

Observing all Shravan Mondays is believed to fulfill marital wishes, cure chronic ailments, remove Kaal Sarp and Mangal doshas, and grant prosperity. Unmarried devotees gain compatible life partners, while married couples enjoy harmony and progeny. Spiritually, the vrat purifies karma, calms the mind, and prepares the soul for moksha through unwavering devotion to Mahadev.

Primary Mantra

ॐ नमः शिवाय (Om Namah Shivaya) — the eternal five-syllable salutation to Shiva

Vrat Katha (Story Origin)

According to Skanda Purana, Goddess Parvati performed severe penance during Shravan Mondays to obtain Lord Shiva as her husband. Pleased by her devotion, Shiva appeared and accepted her. Since then, observing Shravan Somvar is believed to grant the same boon. Additionally, the Shivling at Trayambakeshwar received the first Ganga abhishek in Shravan, making Mondays of this month spiritually unmatched for Shaivites.

Book a pandit for Shravan Somvar Vrat udyapan or katha

Concluding ceremony, havan, or full katha recitation at your home or remotely with video proof.

Related vrats