Sawan Somwar Vrat Food & Rules (Falahar)

What Is Sawan Somwar Vrat

Sawan (Shravan) is the holiest month for Lord Shiva, and the Mondays of this month are kept as Somwar vrat. Devotees fast and offer water, milk and bel leaves on the Shivling, praying for health, happiness and a good life partner. Unmarried women keep the Solah Somwar fast for a worthy husband. As with most Shiva fasts, food is limited to falahar and grains are set aside.

What to Eat on Sawan Somwar

Allowed falahar for the Monday fast:

Fresh and dry fruits and fruit juices
Milk, curd, lassi, paneer and ghee
Sabudana, makhana and samak rice
Kuttu atta and singhara atta dishes
Potato, sweet potato and pumpkin with sendha namak
Dry fruits, peanuts and coconut

Most devotees eat one falahar meal after the evening Shiv puja; some take only milk and fruits through the day.

What to Avoid on Sawan Somwar

Strictly avoid during the fast:

All grains - rice, wheat, maida and besan
Regular salt (use sendha namak only)
Onion, garlic and tamasic foods
Non-vegetarian food, eggs, alcohol and tobacco
Dals and pulses

In the whole month of Sawan, many devotees also avoid brinjal, green leafy vegetables and curd on certain days, and follow a fully sattvic diet even when not fasting.

Sample Sawan Somwar Dishes

Simple dishes for the Monday fast:

Sabudana khichdi and sabudana vada
Kuttu ki puri with vrat aloo sabzi
Samak rice pulao or samak kheer
Makhana kheer and roasted makhana
Fruit chaat, lassi and curd with fruits
Singhara atta halwa as a sweet falahar

Keep portions light, as the fast is often broken in the evening after puja.

Rules of the Sawan Somwar Vrat

1. Bathe early, wear clean clothes and take a sankalp for the fast. 2. Perform Rudrabhishek or offer water, milk, bel leaves, dhatura and white flowers on the Shivling. 3. Chant Om Namah Shivaya and read the Shiv Chalisa and the Somwar vrat katha. 4. Avoid anger, lies and harsh words; keep the day peaceful and devotional. 5. Break the fast in the evening after Shiv puja with falahar, or the next morning, as per your tradition. Wear white where possible and keep the whole day sattvic.

How to Break the Fast & Medical Caution

Break the fast gently with fruits, milk or a light falahar after the evening puja rather than a heavy meal, and avoid grains until the fast is formally ended. Diabetics, those with low BP or acidity, pregnant and nursing mothers, children and the elderly should keep a light fruit-and-milk routine or avoid strict fasting, and consult a doctor first. Drink enough water through the day, especially in the warm Sawan season, and rest if you feel weak.

Common Questions From Devotees

What can we eat during Sawan Somwar vrat?+

Fruits, milk, curd, sabudana, makhana, samak rice, kuttu and singhara atta dishes, and potato with sendha namak are allowed. Most eat one falahar meal after evening puja.

Can we drink milk during the Sawan Monday fast?+

Yes. Milk, curd and lassi are central to the Sawan Somwar fast and help keep you energetic. Many devotees take only milk and fruits through the day.

When should we break the Sawan Somwar fast?+

Most break the fast in the evening after the Shiv puja with falahar, while some continue till the next morning. Break it gently with fruits or milk, not a heavy meal.

What should be offered to Lord Shiva on Sawan Somwar?+

Offer water, milk, bel leaves, dhatura, white flowers and a Rudrabhishek on the Shivling, while chanting Om Namah Shivaya. Avoid offering tulsi to Shiva.

Why do unmarried women keep the Solah Somwar fast?+

Solah Somwar is a series of sixteen Monday fasts believed to please Lord Shiva and bless unmarried women with a worthy husband and a happy married life.

Who should be careful with the Sawan Monday fast?+

Diabetics, those with low BP or acidity, pregnant and nursing mothers, children and the elderly should keep a light fruit-and-milk routine and consult a doctor before fasting.