What Is Solah Somvar Vrat?
Solah Somvar Vrat is the fast of sixteen (solah) consecutive Mondays (somvar) kept in devotion to Lord Shiva. Monday is dear to Shiva, and observing sixteen unbroken Mondays is considered a complete and powerful vow.
It is traditionally begun on an auspicious Monday, most often in the holy month of Sawan (Shravan), when Shiva worship is at its peak, or from a Monday in another auspicious month such as Margashirsha or after a sankalp. Unmarried girls keep it to pray for a good husband, married women for the well-being of the family, and many devotees for the fulfilment of a heartfelt wish and the grace of Mahadev.
Solah Somvar Vrat Vidhi
1. Sankalp: On the first Monday, bathe early, wear clean clothes, and take a sankalp before Lord Shiva to keep sixteen consecutive Monday fasts. 2. Abhishek: Worship a Shivling with jal, milk, gangajal, bel patra, dhatura, white flowers, akshat, chandan and a ghee/oil lamp. Many do a Rudrabhishek. 3. Mantra: Chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' and, if you wish, the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra and Shiv Chalisa. 4. Katha: Read or listen to the Solah Somvar Vrat Katha during the puja. 5. Fast: Keep a fast through the day; eat only once after the evening puja, taking phalahar (fruit, milk, vrat food) and avoiding grains, salt as per family custom. 6. Prasad: Prepare and offer the special churma prasad (see below), distribute it in three parts, and take it as the day's offering. 7. Udyapan: After the sixteenth Monday, perform the udyapan (concluding ceremony) with a larger puja, feeding of Brahmins or devotees, and dana.
The Vrat Katha (Short)
The traditional katha tells that once Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati were wandering and arrived at a beautiful temple. To pass the time, they began to play a game of dice. Parvati asked a young temple priest who would win; he declared that Shiva would. But the game went to Parvati, and feeling deceived, she cursed the priest to be afflicted.
Later, heavenly nymphs (apsaras) took pity on him and taught him the Solah Somvar Vrat. The priest observed sixteen Mondays with full faith, and by the grace of Lord Shiva his suffering ended and his life was restored to happiness.
When Shiva and Parvati returned, they saw him well again. Parvati too then learned and kept the Solah Somvar Vrat, and through it her son Kartikeya was reconciled and a quarrelling friend reunited. The story spread that whoever keeps these sixteen Mondays with sincere faith has their heartfelt wishes fulfilled by Lord Shiva. (Versions of the katha vary slightly by region; the essence is the power of steadfast faith in Shiva.)
The Churma Prasad & Benefits
The special churma prasad: A distinctive part of the Solah Somvar Vrat is the churma offered to Lord Shiva. It is made from wheat flour, ghee and gud (jaggery) or sugar - the flour is kneaded, made into thick rotis or balls, roasted or fried in ghee, crushed and mixed with jaggery and ghee. After the puja, the churma is traditionally divided into three equal parts: one part is offered to the deity and given to those present as prasad, the second is shared among the family and devotees, and the third is given to a cow or the needy. Taking the prasad with faith is an important part of completing the vrat.
Benefits:
- Grace of Lord Shiva and fulfilment of a heartfelt wish
- For unmarried girls, the blessing of a good life partner; for couples, marital harmony
- Health, peace and protection for the whole family
- Removal of obstacles, sorrow and inner restlessness
- Above all, steadiness of faith and a calm, devoted mind, which is the true fruit of any vrat.
The deepest blessing of the Solah Somvar Vrat is not the wish alone but the discipline of returning to Shiva, Monday after Monday, with a sincere and patient heart.
Common Questions From Devotees
How many Mondays are kept in Solah Somvar Vrat?+
Sixteen consecutive Mondays are kept, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is traditionally begun on an auspicious Monday, most often in the holy month of Sawan, and concluded with an udyapan after the sixteenth Monday.
What is the special prasad of Solah Somvar Vrat?+
The special prasad is churma, made of wheat flour, ghee and jaggery (or sugar). After the puja it is divided into three equal parts - one for the deity and devotees present, one for family, and one for a cow or the needy.
Why begin Solah Somvar Vrat in Sawan?+
Sawan (Shravan) is the holiest month for Lord Shiva, and Mondays in Sawan are considered especially powerful. Beginning the sixteen-Monday vow then is regarded as highly auspicious, though it may also be started on an auspicious Monday in other months.
Who can keep the Solah Somvar Vrat?+
Anyone with faith can keep it - unmarried girls for a good husband, married women for family well-being, and any devotee for the fulfilment of a heartfelt wish and the grace of Lord Shiva. The key is sincere, unbroken devotion across the sixteen Mondays.
About the author
Anjali Mehta · Editor, M.A. Religious Studies
Anjali is the managing editor for Vandnaa and oversees the festival and vrat coverage. She holds an M.A. in Religious Studies and reviews every published article for accuracy, accessibility, and tradition-fidelity.
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