Somvar Vratसोमवार व्रत
Devoted to Lord Shiva · Every Monday (Somvar)
Significance
Somvar (Monday) is the day of Lord Shiva. Observing 16 consecutive Mondays (Solah Somvar) is traditional vrata for unmarried girls seeking ideal husband and married women seeking marital harmony. Special significance during Sawan month (July-August) when ALL Mondays are Sawan Somvar.
Who Observes
Unmarried girls (especially seeking marriage); married women (seeking husband well-being); families with planetary moon afflictions; devotees of Lord Shiva
Fasting Rules (Upvas Niyam)
- •Phalahari or single-meal sundown only
- •No grains, no salt, no spicy food
- •Light Tulsi + Bilva-fortified water during day
- •Celibacy strict during 16-week solah somvar series
- •No black clothing
- •No anger or unkind speech
Rituals (Puja Vidhi)
- Snan + clean white or saffron clothes before noon
- Bilva leaves abhishek of Shiva lingam (mandatory)
- Light ghee lamp + offer white flowers (jasmine preferred)
- Read Shiva Stuti or Mahimnah Stotra
- Listen to Shiva Mahapurana story
- Donate white items (rice, sugar, milk) to Brahmin
Prasad
Sabudana khichdi, fruit chaat, kheer with cardamom and almonds, panchamrit
Benefits (Phal)
Per Shiva Mahapurana — solah somvar vrata grants ideal partner to unmarried, marital harmony to married, son to childless, wealth to indebted, recovery to ill, and Shiva-loka after death. Most accessible Shiva vrata for householders; can be performed solo or as family. Particularly potent for those with weak or afflicted Moon in horoscope.
Primary Mantra
Vrat Katha (Story Origin)
Per Skanda Purana, a wealthy merchant daughter was destined to widowhood per her horoscope. Sage Markandeya advised her to perform 16 consecutive Monday vratas to Lord Shiva. After completing the vrata, on her wedding night Yama himself came to claim her husband, but Lord Shiva personally intervened and granted long life — establishing Solah Somvar as the foremost vrata for marital well-being.
Book a pandit for Somvar Vrat udyapan or katha
Concluding ceremony, havan, or full katha recitation at your home or remotely with video proof.