Somvar Vrat Food Rules — Monday Fast Guide
Somvar Vrat (Monday fast for Lord Shiva) requires strictly sattvic (pure) food. Below is the complete list of allowed and forbidden foods, plus the correct time to break the fast.
What to Eat — Allowed Foods
What to Avoid — Forbidden Foods
When to Break the Fast — Pradosh Kaal
Somvar Vrat is traditionally broken during Pradosh Kaal — approximately 1.5 hours after sunset (around 6:00–7:30 PM). Offer puja to Shiva first, accept prasad, then eat your evening meal.
Fasting Tips & Rules
- Wake at Brahma Muhurat and bathe before puja
- Wear white clothes on Monday
- One light meal during the day is ideal
- Avoid anger, falsehood, and gossip on fast days
- If possible, observe silence (maun vrat) for part of the day
Somvar Puja Checklist
☑ Puja Items Checklist
0/7- Raw Milk (Kacha Dudh)अभिषेक और पान हेतु / for abhishek & drinking
- Bilva Leaves (Belpatra)शिव का सबसे प्रिय पत्र / Shiva's most beloved leaf
- Sandalwood Paste (Chandan)शिवलिंग पर तिलक हेतु / for tilak on Shivling
- Black Sesame (Kala Til)शनि-शिव उपाय हेतु / for Shani-Shiva remedies
- Incense (Dhoop / Agarbatti)चंदन या देवदार / cedar or sandalwood
- White Flowers (Safed Phool)धतूरा या श्वेत कमल / dhatura or white lotus
- Gangajalया शुद्ध जल / or pure water if unavailable
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you eat during Somvar Vrat?
Fruits, milk and milk products, sabudana (sago), kuttu (buckwheat) flour, potatoes and sweet potatoes, dry fruits, and sendha namak (rock salt). Drink water and coconut water freely.
What foods are forbidden on Somvar Vrat?
Grains (wheat, rice, lentils, besan), common iodized salt, onion, garlic, meat, fish, eggs and alcohol are all avoided.
When should you break the Somvar fast?
In the evening Pradosh Kaal — roughly 1½ hours around sunset — after offering Shiva puja and accepting prasad. Chant "Om Namah Shivaya" before eating.
Updated for 2026
