In India, we observe fasts and celebrate a variety of rituals in honor of various gods and goddesses who are believed to bring prosperity, health, and spirituality. Monday fast is one of such popular rituals and is considered very auspicious for the worship of Lord Shiva. Every Monday of the lunar calendar is considered an auspicious day in Hindu mythology because it is dedicated to the Supreme Lord Shiva. In Hinduism, Somvar Vrat is one of the most well-known vrats. 

On Mondays, devotees worship Lord Shiva and either fully or partially fast in order to receive His blessings for a peaceful existence. Observing the 16 consecutive Monday fast, which is popularly known as solah somvar vrat, brings miraculous positive changes to the life of a devotee. The 16 somvar fast is observed for the happiness of married life and to get a life partner of your choice. 

It is said to be even more beneficial to begin the 16 Monday vrat during the month of Shravan. According to mythological beliefs, Maa Parvati initiated the 16 somvar vrat herself. As a result of her diligent penance and the auspicious effects of the fast, she is said to have married Lord Shiva. This article will discuss the benefits of the Monday fast, the history of the 16 Somvar fast, and the proper method to observe the 16 Monday vrat.

Before we delve into the Monday fast Katha, let us have a look at all the days of the week and know related deities as well as their associated colors:

Solah Somvar Katha (Story)

There was a time when Shivji and Mata Parvati were wandering the earth. While roaming, they came across the city of Amravati in Vidarbha. Mahadevji and Parvatiji moved to that city because it had a lovely Shiv temple. During a conversation, Parvati Ji once requested Shivji to play Chausar. Shivji agreed and started playing Chausar. During the daily aarti, the temple priest arrived at the same time when they were playing Chausar. 

Parvati asked the priest, "Please tell me who will win the Chausar between the two of us." The priest, who was a follower of Lord Shiva, stated right away that Mahadev ji would win. At the end of the Chausar game, Parvatiji emerged victorious, while Shivji was defeated. Parvati Ji became enraged and wanted to curse the priest, but Shivji intervened, telling her that luck was playing a part in this and that he was not to blame. However, Mata Parvati cursed him to become a leper, which is how he got leprosy. 

He had leprosy for a very long time. One day, an Apsara visiting the temple to worship Shivji noticed the priest's leprosy. The priest told Apsara the entire story when she questioned him about the cause of his leprosy. Apsara advised the priest to fast for sixteen Mondays in order to eradicate the leprosy. The priest inquired about the proper method, or 16 Monday vrat Vidhi, to observe the Monday fast. 

Apsara instructed that on Mondays, after taking a bath and wearing clean clothes, one should make panjiri using half a kilogram of flour, divide it into three portions, worship Lord Shiva during the Pradosh period, and give one-third of the panjiri as prasad to those who attend the aarti. This process needs to be followed for sixteen Mondays. Make churma with a quarter of a cup of wheat flour on Monday, the 17th, present it to Shiva, and share it with the public. Your leprosy will be cured by this 16 Monday vrat Vidhi.

In this way, by observing the Monday fast, he cured himself of leprosy and began a happy life. When Shiva and Parvati visited the temple again one day, they discovered the priest was in perfect health. Parvati asked the priest the secret of his health. The priest claimed that by keeping 16 Monday vrats, he was cured of leprosy. When Parvati Ji learned about this solah somvar fast, she was thrilled. 

She kept this 16 somvar fast as well, and as a result, her son came home and showed obedience. After Kartikeya returned home, he asked his mother why she had changed mentally. Parvati explained to him the significance of the 16 Monday Fast in all of this. This made Kartikeya very happy. Kartikeya kept this Monday fasting to meet his distant Brahmin friend, who came back to meet him sixteen Mondays after his departure. 

When his friend inquired as to the motivation behind keeping this a secret, Kartikeya extolled the benefits of 16 somvar vrat. After hearing this, the Brahmin friend considered observing the Solah Somvar fast for marriage as well. There was a king who was once preparing for his daughter's marriage. A large number of princes arrived to wed the king's daughter. The king required that his daughter wed the individual, and the elephant wrapped the garland around her. 

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That Brahmin was the same as well, and by coincidence, the elephant had wrapped the garland around that Brahmin's neck. The king had then arranged for the Brahmin's marriage to his daughter. When the princess asked the Brahmin one day, "What good deed did you do that the female elephant left all the other princes and garlanded you?" He said, "My friend Kartikeya advised me to keep the sixteen Monday fasts, and as a result, I got a bride like you, Lakshmi." 

Hearing this, the princess was greatly impressed, and she continued the 16 somvar fast in order to conceive a son. And so she had this beautiful son who, when he grew up, asked his mother, "Mother, how did you manage to have a son like me?" She also explained to the son why the sixteenth Monday fast is so important. After hearing this, he also observed a 16 Monday vrat Vidhi comparable to this one for the benefit of the kingdom. 

In the meantime, a king was searching for a husband for his daughter's marriage when it was suggested that the boy would make a good husband. The king wed his daughter to that boy as soon as he learned of it. When the king passed away after a few years, he succeeded to the throne since the previous king had no son. It is all about the solah somvar vrat ki vrat katha, and whoever keeps this sixteenth Monday fast will have all of his wishes granted.

Benefits of Solah Somvar Fast

16 Monday fast, or Solah Somvar Vrat, is among the most respected fasts in Hinduism and is held in honor of Lord Shiva. Here are some of the 16 Monday vrat benefits.

Spiritual Benefits 

• Monday fasting has been linked to increased wisdom.
• The 16 Somvar Vrats are said to help purify a devotee's soul by eradicating their sins and negative karma.
• People frequently report having better emotional regulation and a balanced perspective by following the 16 somvar vrat rules.
• Keeping the 16 Monday vrat requires discipline and commitment, both of which can strengthen and deepen one's spiritual practice and relationship with God.
• Monday fasting is believed to amplify the favorable impact of the Moon in an individual's astrological birth chart (Kundli).
• During 16 somvar fast, achieving inner peace and tranquility through fasting and prayer may be beneficial for one's overall spiritual development.

Material Benefits 

• Your married life is now free of all obstacles, allowing you to live a happy and fulfilling marriage.
• If you keep this solah somvar fast, you might get married to the person you want. 
• Couples who are having marital delays also observe this fast in order to remove barriers.
• You have good health and plenty of wealth.
• Your career may prosper and advance by observing this Monday fast.

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16 Somvar Vrat Rules For Fasting

• Observe a 16-day fast as part of the 16 Monday vrat vidhi, beginning on the first Monday of Shravan Month.
• Get up early, bathe, and change into fresh clothes. 
• Go to the nearby Lord Shiva shrine.
• Offer sincere prayers to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, and Maa Parvati.
• On the Shiva idol, perform Rudraabhishek. When performing the 16 Monday vrat Vidhi, offer the gods unbroken rice, Panchamrit, Chandan, fruit, and itra.
• One can also offer marijuana leaves, Bel Phal, and Bel Patra to Lord Shiva prior to reciting the mantras 108 times.
• Say the solah somvar vrat ki vrat katha in the vicinity of your home temple.
• After that, break your fast with a healthy lunch, dinner, or some fruit.
• Steer clear of salty meals and/or frequent eating.
• Continue the fast for sixteen more Mondays.
• On the sixteenth Monday, finish the entire puja and say a prayer remembering Lord Shiva.

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Procedure For Monday Fast Puja

• Visit the temple and use water to clean the idol while setting up the other puja supplies. Add flowers to the picture and place diyas near the idol.
• Make sure the altar is clean before lighting the sesame oil lamp. Then, as a sign of devotion, chant and offer flowers to Lord Shiva. Present Lord Shiva with the sweet dish, nuts, coconut, fruits, and betel leaves. It would be great if you could prepare the sweet dish at home.
• The puja must then be concluded with an aarti and the solah somvar vrat ki vrat katha recited. 
• When the sun sets, light a lamp all around Lord Shiva.

Food For Monday Fast 

Being observant of Solah Somvar Vrat is a very basic practice. As per the 16 somvar vrat rules, certain foods are forbidden on this holy day when a pure-hearted devotee fasts and worships Bholenath. 

• During the fast, you are allowed to consume milk, fresh vegetables, meals prepared with sendha namak and sabudana (sago), and dairy products like buttermilk and curd.
• Few people only consume one meal per day. For them, fresh milk and fruits are essential.
• Remove any food that has been prepared with onions, garlic, or salt.
• You must stay hydrated and drink water throughout the fast to stay in good shape. Include nuts and dry fruits in your Monday fasting meals as well.
• It is necessary to abstain from the consumption of mushrooms, tea, coffee, cola, and other energy drinks, as well as non-vegetarian foods like meat, fish, eggs, and liquor.

Wrapping Up

The 16 Somvar Vrat, or Monday Fast, holds immense significance in Hindu mythology and is believed to bring about positive changes in the lives of those who observe it devoutly. The stories and experiences associated with this vrat are inspiring and reflect the deep-rooted faith and spiritual beliefs of devotees. Whether it is seeking blessings for a happy married life, finding a life partner, or overcoming challenges, the 16 Somvar Vrat is considered to be a powerful and transformative observance.