Discover the significance, rituals, and stories behind the Sawan Somwar Vrat, an important Hindu fast observed during the month of Shravan to honor Lord Shiva.

All Mondays, or Somwars, during the month of Shravan, are considered perfect days to fast and are called Shravan Somwar.

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What is the significance of the Sawan Somvar Vrat?

Sawan Somwar has a special belief during the holy month of Sawan. Some people follow Nirjala Vrat, and others eat light sattvic meals all day. Many stories say fasting every Monday for 16 weeks, called Solah Somvar Vrat, brings great energy.

Unmarried women often fast to find a suitable life partner. The Monday fast is open to both men and women, except for the Solah Somwar Vrat. This month is significant to Lord Shiva followers all over the world.

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What is the Sawan Somwar Vrat Puja Vidhi?

1. People who worship Lord Shiva go to the temple and do Jalabhishek to the Shiv Ling.
2. People who serve Lord Shiva should get up early in the morning, take a holy bath, honor the image of Lord Shiva, and keep saying Om Namah Shivaya.
3. Present the holy god with Belpatra, Doob, Kusha, Lotus, Neelkamal, Jawaphool Kaner, and Rye Flowers.
4. People say the Mahamrutunjaya prayer 108 times in the name of Lord Shiva.
5. When you do Rudrabhishek, you offer milk, curd, ghee, honey, and Gangajal.
6. After this month, you should not argue or fight with anyone and should not eat onions, garlic, radishes, or brinjal.
7. It is advised not to drink alcohol during vrat.
8. People sing Shiv Chalisa and Shiva Aarti to make Lord Shiva happy.

Which is the most important mantra and arti for Sawan Somwar Vrat?

Panchakshri Mantra: ॐ नमः शिवाय

Shiva Gayatri Mantra: ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि, तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात् !

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra: ॐ ह्रौं जूं सः भूर्भुवः स्वः त्र्यम्बकम् यजामहे सुगन्धिम् पुष्टिवर्धनम् । उर्वारूकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मा मृतात् भूर्भुवः स्वरों जूं सः ह्रौं ॐ ।।

Rudra Mantra: ॐ नमो भगवते रुद्राय

Aarti: करपूर गौरम करूणावतारम, संसार सारम भुजगेन्द्र हारम |, सदा वसंतम हृदयारविंदे, भवम भवानी सहितं नमामि ||

What is Sawan Somwar Vrat Katha, and why is it important?

According to Skanda Purana, Narada Muni asked Lord Shiva why he loved Savan month. Lord Shiva says Goddess Sati promised to be Lord Shiva's wife at every birth, even though her father didn't like this. When Shiva's father insulted him, Goddess Sati gave up the body. Dev was born as Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya and Naina. In this life, the Goddess also made Lord Shiva happy by fasting hard in the month of Sawan and then married him. So, sixteen Mondays are set aside for fasting in preparation for Lord Shiva's blessing in the month of Savan. Mythological writings have one more story. Many holy people and sadhus prayed to Lord Shiva in a city on the banks of the Kshipra River long ago.

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How do I fast on Sawan Monday?

The Savan Monday fast starts at dawn and goes through the evening. The whole day is spent worshiping Lord Shiva and Mother Gauri. For this puja, Goddess Shiva can be worshiped at home or a nearby temple. After that, in the evening, honor Lord Shiva's family in Pradosh Bela with 16 prayer items, such as flowers, Durva, Belpatra, Dhatura, and more. People think that if they fast on a Monday in the month of Sawan, all of their fasts will bear fruit. Many people worship Lord Shiva Belpatra and Dhatura because Lord Shiva likes them. Give them Ganga water, too. People believe that they should fast on this day. You can eat or drink fruit juice for a while if you can't fast. After you pray to Lord Shiva, read or listen to the short story. If you stay alone during this time, stay away from all the defenses, and worship Shiva with all your heart all day, all your dreams will come true.

What is the story of Sawan?

According to Hindu scripture, when Samudra Manthan, or churning the ocean, happened, many good things came out of it, such as many gems and jewels, the Kaamdhenu Cow, and an elephant named Airawat. Along with the poison, Halahal had the power to destroy the world and everything in it. Demons and gods were shocked when they saw it.

What does the month of Sawan mean? What other religious practices are linked to Sawan?

This month is a time for religious and spiritual practices. On the first Monday of each Sawan month, the followers fast. Mangla Gauri Vrat is a fast that women who are not married can also do on Tuesday to get the husband they want. Women who are already married can also do Mangla Gauri Vrat.

Sawan is also famous for the Kanwar yatra, a journey that followers of Lord Shiva take to bring the holy Ganga Jal from Gaumukh to Haridwar and other places where Maa Ganga goes. People who follow Kanwariya walk miles to get the Ganga Jal. Kanwariyas take Ganga Jal on their shoulders to give it to Lord Shiva on the day of Shivratri, which is on Triyodashi Tithi in Krishna Paksha in Shravan Maas.

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There was also Hariyali Teej in the month of Sawan. People believe that single girls who observe the sixteenth Monday fast, also known as "Solah Somvaar," in this month can get the husband they want if they worship Lord Shiva with complete love. Lord Shiva is said to grant the wishes of those who worship him.