Somvar Vrat Vidhi & Katha 2026
Monday (Somvar) is sacred to Lord Shiva and the Moon. Observing this fast bestows Shiva's grace, mental peace, and auspiciousness in life.
Sawan Somvar 2026 — Special Dates
Shravan is Lord Shiva's most beloved month — puja on these Mondays is held especially fruitful. Shravan 2026: 30 July – 28 August (North India).
Quick Facts
- Deity: Lord Shiva (Someshwara) and the Moon (Chandra)
- Benefit: Mental peace, health, marriage fortune
- Fast duration: Sunrise to sunset (or until Trayodashi)
- Most auspicious: the 4 Sawan Somvars (3–24 August 2026)
Somvar Vrat Puja Vidhi — Step by Step
- Rise during Brahma Muhurat (4–6 AM) and bathe
- Wear clean white or light-coloured clothes
- Perform abhishek on Shivalinga with water, milk, curd, ghee, honey, and Gangajal
- Offer Bel leaves, Datura, Bhang, white flowers, and sandalwood
- Chant "Om Namah Shivaya" 108 times
- Listen to the Somvar Vrat Katha
- Perform evening puja and break the fast — consume fruits only
Vrat Niyam — Fasting Rules
- One-time meal only — fruits or sattvic food
- Avoid salt, oil, and grains (especially rice)
- Speak truth, avoid anger and harsh words
- Observe celibacy on the fasting day
- Avoid negative thoughts and gossip
Key Mantras for Monday
Somvar Vrat Katha — Summary
A wealthy merchant had no children despite great devotion. He fasted every Monday. Pleased by his faith, Lord Shiva told Parvati to bless him with a son. Parvati warned the son would live only 12 years. The merchant overheard but continued his worship and pilgrimage to Kashi. By Shiva's grace at Kashi, the son was restored to life and given a long life. Such is the glory of the Somvar Vrat.
Benefits of Somvar Vrat
- Blessings of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati
- Relief from Chandra Dosha, mental stress, and insomnia
- Unmarried devotees find an ideal life partner
- Freedom from disease, debt, and enemy obstacles
- Mitigation of Moon afflictions in the birth chart
Sawan Do's and Don'ts (Shravan Month Rules)
For the whole Shravan month (30 July–28 August 2026) — not just Mondays.
What to Do
- Daily jal/milk abhishek and bilva-leaf offering on the Shivling
- Chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' and the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
- Keep the Sawan Somvar (3, 10, 17, 24 Aug) and Mangala Gauri (Tuesday) vrats
- Wear rudraksha; read the Shiva Purana / Shiv Chalisa
- Sattvic food, charity (grain, clothes) and seva
What to Avoid
- No meat, fish, egg, onion, garlic or alcohol — all month
- By custom, avoid brinjal (baingan) and leafy greens
- Many avoid drinking milk and offer it to Shiva instead
- Don't offer Tulsi, haldi, kumkum, ketki or coconut water on the Shivling
- Avoid anger, lies, gossip and sleeping in the daytime
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Sawan Somvar in 2026 and how many Mondays are there?
In North India (Purnimanta) Shravan 2026 runs 30 July – 28 August, with four Sawan Somvars: 3, 10, 17 (Nag Panchami) and 24 August. In Maharashtra/Gujarat/South India (Amanta) Shravan is 13 August – 11 September.
What can I eat during a Somvar Vrat?
Take one sattvic meal — fruits, milk and milk products, sabudana, kuttu (buckwheat) flour, potatoes and sendha namak (rock salt). Avoid grains, common salt, onion, garlic, meat and alcohol.
How do I break the Somvar fast?
Break it in the evening Pradosh Kaal (about 1½ hours around sunset) after offering Shiva puja and accepting prasad.
What should you not eat during Sawan?
Meat, fish, egg, onion, garlic and alcohol are avoided through all of Shravan. By tradition many also avoid brinjal (baingan), leafy greens, and drinking milk (offering it to Shiva instead).
Updated for 2026
