Solah Somvar Vrat — 16 Mondays Fast
सोलह सोमवार व्रत
Solah Somvar Vrat (सोलह सोमवार व्रत) is a fast kept on 16 consecutive Mondays in honour of Lord Shiva. It is the most popular vrat for unmarried girls seeking a good husband, for an early and happy marriage, and for marital harmony. Shiva, the ideal husband, and Parvati, who herself won Shiva through this very penance, bless those who keep it with faith.
Fasting Rules & Vidhi
Begin on an auspicious Monday, ideally in the month of Shravan, Chaitra, Vaishakh or Kartik, and keep the fast for 16 consecutive Mondays.
Wake early, bathe, and wear clean clothes (white is auspicious). Take a sankalp (vow) to complete all 16 Mondays.
Eat one sattvic meal in the day or keep a phalahar (fruit) fast — no salt in some traditions; consume the gangajal-mixed prasad.
Perform Shiva puja: bathe the Shivling with water, milk and gangajal, offer bel-patra, white flowers, dhatura, chandan and akshata.
Chant "Om Namah Shivaya" 108 times, recite the Shiv Chalisa, and read the Solah Somvar Vrat Katha each Monday.
Prepare the prasad of equal parts roasted gram flour (atta), ghee and gur (churma), divide into three, offer to Shiva and distribute.
On the 17th week (Udyapan), do the concluding puja and feed Brahmins or the needy to complete the vrat.
Significance & Story
Monday (Somvar) is the day of Lord Shiva, and the Solah Somvar Vrat is rooted in the penance Goddess Parvati performed to win Shiva as her husband. Keeping the fast for 16 Mondays with devotion is believed to remove obstacles in marriage, grant a worthy life partner, and bless the home with a harmonious, long married life. It is also kept for the fulfilment of cherished wishes and the well-being of the family.
Mantras for Solah Somvar Vrat — 16 Mondays Fast
शिव मानस पूजा
रत्नैः कल्पितमासनं हिमजलैः स्नानं च दिव्याम्बरं नानारत्नविभूषितं मृगमदामोदाङ्कितं चन्दनम्।