Solah Somvar Vrat (16 Mondays)षोडश सोमवार व्रत
Devoted to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati · 16 consecutive Mondays (preferably starting in Shravan, Margashirsha, or Vaishakha month)
Significance
Solah Somvar Vrat is the most authoritative long-term vrat for unmarried women seeking ideal husbands and for married couples seeking marital harmony and progeny. The vrat is observed for 16 consecutive Mondays, mirroring the 16 years of austerity Goddess Parvati performed to win Shiva as her husband. Monday (Somvar) is ruled by Chandra (Moon), karaka of Shiva's Chandra-shekhara form. The vrat is considered superior to all other Monday vrats because of its sustained 16-week tapasya — building the spiritual potency (sankalpa-shakti) of Parvati's original vrat. Particularly recommended for young women whose marriage is delayed and couples without children after years of marriage.
Who Observes
Unmarried women (especially after 25 years) across India observe to find an ideal Shiva-like husband. Married couples seeking children observe together. Devotees seeking removal of chronic Shani sade-sati or Kala Sarpa dosha also undertake this vrat. The 16-week commitment requires significant resolve, making it a serious spiritual undertaking.
Fasting Rules (Upvas Niyam)
- •Take only one meal at sunset on each Monday for 16 weeks
- •Strictly avoid salt, oil, grains, and non-vegetarian food during fast
- •Phalahar (milk, fruits, sabudana khichdi, singhara atta puri) permitted during day
- •Wear white or light colors; avoid black, dark blue, and red on Mondays
- •Maintain celibacy throughout all 16 weeks of the vrat
- •Continue vrat unbroken — if missed, restart from week 1 (some traditions allow continuation with prayaschitta)
Rituals (Puja Vidhi)
- Bathe before sunrise; visit Shiva temple wearing white
- Perform jal-abhishek to Shiva linga with milk, water, and panchamrit
- Offer bilva-patra (3-leaf bilva), white flowers (especially aak/akanda), bhang, dhatura, and white sandalwood
- Light a ghee lamp with 16 wicks (one for each Monday)
- Recite Shiva Panchakshara Stotra, Rudrashtakam, or Mahamrityunjaya Mantra 108 times
- On the 17th Monday (Udyapan), offer 16 puris, 16 laddoos, gift 16 things (saree/dhoti/sweets) to a Brahmin couple and married women
Prasad
Sabudana khichdi, singhara atta puri, kuttu pakora, sweet potato halwa, milk-based kheer; on Udyapan day — 16 puris with chana sabzi and laddoo
Benefits (Phal)
The vrat is the supreme remedy for delayed marriage in women — even those with severe horoscope afflictions (Mangal dosha, Shani-Mars combination, weak 7th house) find suitable matches within 1-2 years of completion. Married couples without children for years often conceive during or shortly after the vrat. Observers gain marital harmony, spousal longevity, removal of chronic illnesses, success in family disputes, and the destruction of all karmic obstacles in domestic life. Spiritually, the 16-week sustained tapasya develops powerful sankalpa-shakti, mental discipline, and direct connection with Shiva-Parvati's grace — many observers report dream-darshan during or after completion.
Primary Mantra
Vrat Katha (Story Origin)
The Shiva Purana narrates that Goddess Parvati, in her previous birth as Sati, immolated herself at Daksha's yajna. Reborn as Parvati daughter of Himavan, she resolved to win Shiva as husband and performed severe tapasya for 16 long years on Mount Gauri-shankar — eating only bilva leaves the first year, then only water, and finally absolute nirahara (foodless) state. Pleased by her resolve, Shiva tested her by appearing as an old Brahmin criticizing Shiva; Parvati defended her beloved fiercely. Shiva then revealed himself and married her on Maha Shivaratri. From then, the Solah Somvar Vrat (16 Mondays mirroring her 16 years) became established for all women seeking ideal husbands. The same Shiva Purana states that Lord Krishna recommended this vrat to Rukmini before her swayamvara, ensuring her marriage to him.
Book a pandit for Solah Somvar Vrat (16 Mondays) udyapan or katha
Concluding ceremony, havan, or full katha recitation at your home or remotely with video proof.