{"id":1317,"date":"2026-07-09T16:01:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T10:31:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.astroswamig.com\/blog\/?p=1317"},"modified":"2026-07-10T17:34:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T12:04:17","slug":"monday-fast-procedure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.astroswamig.com\/blog\/monday-fast-procedure\/","title":{"rendered":"Monday Fast"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Monday fast, also called Somvar Vrat, is a simple fast observed to worship Lord Shiva. On this day, people observe a partial or complete fast, offer water and milk to the Shivling, chant &#8220;Om Namah Shivaya,&#8221; and break their fast in the evening after performing puja with a sattvic (pure and wholesome) meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Monday fast, also known as&nbsp;<strong>Somvar Vrat<\/strong>, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The word&nbsp;<em>Somvar<\/em>&nbsp;comes from&nbsp;<em>Som<\/em>, which means the Moon in Sanskrit, and Lord Shiva is called&nbsp;<em>Someshwar<\/em>&nbsp;because he wears the crescent Moon on his matted hair. Devotees keep this fast to please Lord Shiva and to seek blessings for peace, health and a happy family life.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A very special form of this fast is kept on&nbsp;<strong>Somvati Amavasya<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 when Amavasya (New Moon) falls on a Monday. The first Monday after the New Moon is also considered very auspicious for Shiva worship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Monday Fast in Different Regions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Monday fast is observed in slightly different ways across India:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In many North Indian states, as well as Maharashtra and Gujarat,\u00a0<strong>Shravan month<\/strong>\u00a0(July\u2013August) Mondays are considered very sacred for Lord Shiva.\u200b<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In South Indian states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh,\u00a0<strong>Kartik month<\/strong>\u00a0Mondays are considered highly auspicious.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In Tamil Nadu, Mondays in the month of\u00a0<strong>Kartigai (November\u2013December)<\/strong>\u00a0are celebrated as\u00a0<em>Kartigai Somavaram<\/em>.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many devotees also connect with&nbsp;<strong>astro chat \/ online astrologers<\/strong>&nbsp;to know the most suitable Somvar dates according to their personal horoscope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since Monday is also connected with the Moon, many people who have strong Moon\u2011related placements or\u00a0<strong>Gandmool \/ Mool Nakshatra<\/strong>\u00a0in their chart use Somvar Vrat as a way to balance emotions and gain stability. If you were born in\u00a0Mool Nakshatra\u00a0and want to understand its effect on your life, you can read our detailed article on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Monday Fast Rituals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Monday fast usually starts at sunrise. People who observe this vrat generally follow these simple steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wake up early, take a bath and wear clean, preferably white or light\u2011coloured clothes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sit in a clean place, remember Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and take a simple sankalp to keep the fast.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offer water and a holy bath to the Shiva linga or Shiva idol.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Perform puja to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati with faith.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If someone is unsure about the correct rituals, they often&nbsp;<strong>talk to an astrologer online<\/strong>&nbsp;to understand the right procedure and remedies for their situation.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On this day devotees also:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Offer\u00a0<strong>vibhuti (bhasma)<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>bel (bilva) leaves<\/strong>, and\u00a0<strong>white flowers<\/strong>\u00a0to Lord Shiva.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep some special food as\u00a0<strong>naivedya<\/strong>\u00a0(offering) and later distribute it as prasad.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Can We Eat on Monday Fast?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During Monday fast, many devotees keep a simple diet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They chant \u201cOm Namah Shivaya\u201d throughout the day and read the Somvar Vrat Katha in the evening.\u200b<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some people remain on\u00a0<strong>only water or fruits<\/strong>, or eat just once in the afternoon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Others keep a&nbsp;partial fast&nbsp;and eat vrat food like:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sabudana khichdi or kheer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fruits and dry fruits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Milk, curd, makhana, vrat flour items<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Generally people avoid:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Onion and garlic<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Non\u2011vegetarian food<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alcohol and very heavy or spicy dishes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Devotees who want to follow Monday fast according to their horoscope often first check their&nbsp;<strong>free<a href=\"https:\/\/www.astroswamig.com\/free-kundli\">&nbsp;online Kundli<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;and then decide the level of fasting and timing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How is the Monday Fast Completed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most devotees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Continue the fast till the next morning or till the evening puja is done.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After the final prayer, they distribute\u00a0<strong>prasad<\/strong>\u00a0among family members and other devotees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Many people visit a Shiva temple in the morning and evening on every Monday; if this is not possible, they do the full puja at home with the same faith.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Benefits of Monday Fast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone can receive spiritual and mental benefits from Monday fast, but some specific intentions are very common:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Unmarried girls<\/strong>\u00a0keep Somvar vrat to pray for a good and understanding life partner.\u200b<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Married couples<\/strong>\u00a0observe this fast together and pray to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for a peaceful and happy married life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is believed that one who sincerely follows this vrat receives blessings of worldly comforts along with inner peace.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This fast is also said to bring harmony at home, reduce conflicts and keep the atmosphere calm and positive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some people also keep Monday fast to calm strong planetary energies in their chart, especially when\u00a0<strong>Angarak Yog (Mars\u2013Rahu)<\/strong>\u00a0or emotional stress is present. You can read more about it in our detailed guide on\u00a0Angarak Yog in astrology<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q1. Can I drink water during Monday fast?<\/strong><br>Yes. Most people drink water, and many also take milk, juice or fruits depending on their health.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q2. Can men also observe Somvar vrat?<\/strong><br>Yes, absolutely. Somvar vrat is for anyone who has faith in Lord Shiva, not only for women.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q3. Is Monday fast good for marriage?<\/strong><br>Yes. Many people keep Somvar vrat to remove problems in marriage, to get a good life partner and for overall harmony in family life.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q4. Can I eat at night after fast?<\/strong><br>Yes. Generally people do puja in the evening and then open the fast with light, sattvic food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q5. Do I have to do 16 Mondays only?<\/strong><br>No. 16 Mondays is a popular way, but you can keep fewer or more Mondays depending on your health, faith and guidance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Monday fast, also called Somvar Vrat, is a simple fast observed to worship Lord Shiva. On this day, people observe a partial or complete fast, offer water and milk to the Shivling, chant &#8220;Om Namah Shivaya,&#8221; and break their fast in the evening after performing puja with a sattvic (pure and wholesome) meal. Monday [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1319,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vedic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.astroswamig.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.astroswamig.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.astroswamig.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.astroswamig.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.astroswamig.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1317"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.astroswamig.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1317\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1320,"href":"https:\/\/www.astroswamig.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1317\/revisions\/1320"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.astroswamig.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.astroswamig.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.astroswamig.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.astroswamig.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}