Why Monday Belongs to Lord Shiva
The word Somvar comes from Soma, the Moon, and the Moon (Chandra) adorns the matted hair of Lord Shiva. Because Shiva wears the crescent moon on his head, the day of the Moon naturally became the day of Shiva. Fasting on Monday is a way of turning the whole day toward Shiva - cooling the restless mind the way the Moon cools the night, and offering one's discipline as a form of devotion.
The Scriptural and Cultural Reason
Texts like the Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana praise the Somvar Vrat as a fast that grants Shiva's grace, a good spouse, marital harmony and freedom from suffering. Two special forms are well known: the Solah Somvar Vrat (sixteen consecutive Mondays, often kept by unmarried girls for a good husband) and the Sawan Somvar Vrat (Mondays of the holy month of Shravan, the most powerful of all). Culturally, families have kept this fast for generations as a vow for health, children and peace at home.
The Scientific and Psychological Angle
Beyond faith, a Monday fast gives the digestive system a gentle reset after the indulgences of the weekend. A lighter, fruit-and-milk diet lowers the load on the gut, supports detoxification and steadies blood sugar. Psychologically, choosing restraint one day a week strengthens self-control and willpower, and starting the week with a calm, focused, slightly hungry mind is known to improve clarity and discipline for the days that follow.
Correct Vidhi - How to Keep the Somvar Vrat
1. Wake before sunrise, bathe and wear clean white clothes, the colour dear to Shiva. 2. Take a sankalp (vow) to keep the fast for Shiva, deciding whether it is nirjala, fruit-only or one-meal. 3. Perform Shiva abhishek - bathe the Shivling with water, milk, then offer bilva (bel) leaves, white flowers, chandan and dhatura. 4. Chant Om Namah Shivaya or the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra and read the Shiv Chalisa. 5. Eat once after evening puja, taking satvik food without grains, onion or garlic. 6. Listen to or read the Somvar Vrat Katha and end with the Shiv aarti.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid offering tulsi, ketaki flowers or turmeric (haldi) to Shiva, as tradition forbids them on the Shivling. Do not break the fast with heavy, fried or non-satvik food. Many keep the fast as a vow but forget its purpose - the day is meant for restraint of speech and anger too, not only food. Finally, never use the abhishek water carelessly; it is charanamrit and should be received with respect.
Benefits of the Somvar Vrat
Devotees keep the Somvar Vrat for marital harmony, a good life partner, the well-being of family and removal of obstacles and chronic worry. Spiritually it deepens devotion to Shiva and steadies a restless mind. Combined with the lighter diet, many also feel improved digestion and a calmer, more disciplined start to the week - the inner peace that the cool, moon-crowned Shiva represents.
Quick Answers
Why do we fast on Monday for Lord Shiva?+
Monday (Somvar) is named after Soma, the Moon, which adorns Shiva's head. So the day of the Moon became Shiva's day, and fasting on Monday is a way to dedicate the day to Shiva and earn his grace.
What can I eat during the Somvar Vrat?+
Depending on your sankalp, you may keep nirjala (waterless), have only fruit and milk, or eat one satvik meal after evening puja without grains, onion or garlic. Choose what your health allows.
What is the Solah Somvar Vrat?+
The Solah Somvar Vrat is a fast kept on sixteen consecutive Mondays, often by unmarried girls praying for a good husband or by couples for marital harmony, ending with a special udyapan ceremony.
Which things should never be offered to Shiva?+
Tulsi leaves, ketaki (kewda) flowers and turmeric are traditionally never offered on the Shivling. Instead offer water, milk, bilva leaves, white flowers, chandan and dhatura.
Are there health benefits to fasting on Monday?+
Yes. A lighter Monday diet rests the digestive system after the weekend, supports detoxification and steadies blood sugar, while the discipline strengthens willpower and brings a calm, focused start to the week.
Which mantra should I chant during the Somvar Vrat?+
Chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' or the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, ideally 108 times on a rudraksha mala, along with reading the Shiv Chalisa and the Somvar Vrat Katha.
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.
Meet the Vandnaa editorial team →Explore on Vandnaa
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