Sixteen Monday Fast Background Solah Somvar Vrat History

Shravan Somvar Vrat (First Monday of Shravan Month) 2016 = 25th Monday

The starting day of the week, Monday is considered as a very auspicious day dedicated to Lord Shiva. The crowd of devotees at Shiva temples on Mondays get the blessings of the merciful Lord, who can remove all the difficulties of the devotees and fulfill all the wishes. Sixteen Monday fast is one of the most popular Vrat observances in Hinduism dedicated to the supreme Lord Shiva. Being the supreme Lord of Shiva, the Hindus observe the fasting over Sixteen consecutive Mondays, which is also known as ‘Solah Somvar Vrat’ and provides several benefits to the devotees.

According to Hindu mythology, the importance of Four Somvar Vrat of Shravan month is equal to Solah Somvar Vrat.

Monday Fast is for Married and Unmarried Women 

 

Anyone, who is desirous of getting the blessings of Lord Shiva can keep this Sixteen Monday fast. This fast is especially recommended for those who are facing difficulties in their married life and also those who are looking to get married for a desired life partner. It is recommended to begin the sixteen Monday fasting on the first Monday of Shravan Month (July - August). The fast consists Puja to Shiva and listening to ‘Solah Somvar Vrat Katha’.

How to Observe Sixteen Monday Fasting?

16 Monday fasting observances are very simple as described follow:-

1 - It is expected that the devotees must keep their heart very pure and full of devotion and the fast starts on the Monday morning.

2 - Wake up very early in the morning on the day of fast (Monday) and complete your morning routines. After a bath, go to the Puja room and start the Puja to Lord Shiva picture or idol or a Shivling.

3 - Clean the altar, light the lamp with the help of gingelly oil. Decorate the idol or picture with Chandan and flowers. Chant Lord Shiva's names and offer flowers.

4 - At the end of the Puja, offer betel leaves, nuts, coconut, fruits and the sweet dish that you have prepared at home.

5 - Listen the 16 Somvar Vrat story and conclude the Puja with the waving of camphor and prostrating before the altar.

6 - After the Puja, you need to keep fasting for the whole day. You might continue your regular routine, Whether it is household tasks or going to the office.

7 - In the evening, light the lamp in front of the altar and offer some Prasad to Lord Shiva. After the evening Puja, you can partake the Prasad and some fruits if you want.

In this way, the Vrat observance has to go on for sixteen Mondays.

Sixteen Somvar Vrat Story

Once upon a time a money creditor and his wife lived a highly pious and devoted life. They did not have any children and prayed the Lord to bless them with a child. Lord Shiva blessed them with a boy child. Unfortunately, the boy had only 12 years of life about which the father had known already.

The money creditor made the boy live a highly devoted and hard life. On his twelfth year, the boy went with his uncle to Kashi to complete his education. On the way, they came across the marriage ceremony of the daughter of a big businessman. The groom was blind in one of the eyes. When the bride's family discovered this, they requested the boy to be the groom. After marriage, the boy went to Kashi and completed his education. As his destiny came to a close, one day suddenly he faced his death. Lord Shiva wanted to reward the goodness and devotion of all the people at the merchant's home and therefore blessed the boy with life once again. Thereafter, The boy returned home with the bride he married and all of them lived happily.