1. Sawan Somvar Shiv Vrat Katha

Somvaar vrat kahani refer to the Monday fasts undertaken by Hindus, to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. These fasts include some rituals and chants that are specific to Monday fasts, aimed at seeking the blessings of the Lord. They may be the fasts during the holy month of Sraavan, or the sixteen somvaar fasts, or the simple Monday fast for Lord Shiva. The rituals are however the same, with the worship of Lord Shiva in its Linga form, followed by the story (vrat katha) for the particular fast. The story is read aloud seated on an aasan (square rug) to the accompaniment of the chant of Lord Shiva’s name “Om Namah Shivayah”.

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This is considered to propitiate the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.The Somvaar or Monday fasts are fast dedicated to Lord Shiva and undertaken only on Mondays. Fasting begins at sunrise and ends at sunset.

Sawan Somvar Shiv Vrat Katha

It is believed that fasting on Mondays is blessed with fulfilment of desires and the perfect ideal husband when done by unmarried or married women.There are various stories associated with the Monday fasts, each of which exemplify the way fasting on Mondays are rewarded. Stories recount the game of dice played by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the story of a merchant’s son being re-born and a poor Brahmin’s gain of wealth. In other words, one may conclude that like other fasts dedicated to deities, the Monday fast too is aimed at begetting some gain or comfort.The rituals of Somvaar katha involve worshipping the Lord Shiva with Dhatura or white flowers, pouring sweetened milk over the Shiv Linga, adorning the same with a garland and offering the fruit that is specific to Lord Shiva. Bilva pattar or leaves of the wood-apple tree are offered to Lord Shiva in its triple leaf format. Partial or total fast are observed, by partaking of falahar or fruits or taking a single vegetarian meal during the day.

The story related to Somvaar vrat is read aloud by the person observing the Monday fast. Pujas are also done in Shiva temples. Chants of the Lord are done to invoke his blessings.In particular, the Monday fasts coinciding with new moon or Amavasya days, and during the holy month of Sravan are considered the most auspicious. In parts of Southern India, the Mondays of the Karthik month are considered more auspicious, called the Karthik Somvaar Vrat. This is followed diligently by fasting during the day and doing pooja at home reading the stories of Somvaar vrat katha, followed by a visit to the Shiva temple in the evening, then taking a meal or fruits.The holy cities of Varanasi and Prayag (Allahabad) observe the Hrishikesh Somvaar Vrat.While the simple Monday fasts can be followed any Monday, the Sravan fasts are undertaken only during the Mondays of Sravan month. The sixteen Somvaar fasts, are begun on any Monday during the waxing phase of the moon. This is done as a sixteen consecutive monday fasting with the seventeenth Monday being dedicated to Udyapan or thanksgiving.