Monday — Bhagwan Shiva
सोमवार — भगवान शिव
Significance of Monday
Monday (Somvar) is sacred to Lord Shiva — the Mahadeva who controls time, creation, and dissolution. The Moon (Soma) is Shiva's crown jewel, and this day carries the cool, calming energy of the lunar cycle. Devotees seek inner peace, emotional healing, and purification by worshipping Shiva on Mondays. The Shravan (Sawan) Mondays are especially powerful — a month-long window considered the most auspicious period for Shiva devotion.
🛕 How to WorshipBegin with a bath before sunrise. Perform Jalabhishek — pour water or milk over the Shivalinga while chanting Om Namah Shivaya. Offer Bel patra (Bilva leaves), white flowers, Dhatura, and raw milk. Light a ghee lamp. Chant the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra or Om Namah Shivaya 108 times. Fast the entire day or eat only once, avoiding salt and non-vegetarian food.
✅Do's
- ▸Fast the entire day or eat a single sattvic meal (avoid salt)
- ▸Perform Jalabhishek on Shivalinga with water, milk, or Panchamrit
- ▸Offer Bel patra — even one leaf is highly sacred to Shiva
- ▸Wear white clothing; keep the mind calm and pure
- ▸Visit a Shiva temple; attend Rudrabhishek or Shiva Katha
- ▸Chant Om Namah Shivaya 108 times on a Rudraksha mala
❌Don'ts
- ▸Avoid non-vegetarian food and alcohol
- ▸Do not consume Tulsi (Basil) leaves — they are not offered to Shiva
- ▸Avoid anger, harsh speech, and tamasic activities
- ▸Do not cut nails or hair on Monday
Read the step-by-step vrat procedure, the vrat katha, and udyapan vidhi.
🌙 Learn more about Bhagwan Shiva →Stories, iconography, avatars, temples, festivals and mantras.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which god is worshipped on Monday?
Monday (Somvar) is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Mahadeva. The Moon (Soma) adorns Shiva's crown, so the cool, calming lunar energy of Monday is considered ideal for Shiva worship — especially the Mondays of the Shravan (Sawan) month.
How is the Somvar Vrat (Monday fast) observed?
Devotees bathe before sunrise, perform Jalabhishek (offer water or milk over the Shivalinga) chanting Om Namah Shivaya, offer Bel patra and white flowers, light a ghee lamp, and fast through the day or take a single sattvic meal. See the full Somvar Vrat Vidhi & Katha for the complete procedure.
What should be offered to Shiva on Monday?
Bel patra (Bilva leaves), raw milk, white flowers, Dhatura, water and sesame are traditional offerings. Tulsi (Basil) leaves are not offered to Shiva. White clothing and a calm, pure mind are recommended for the day.
What are the benefits of worshipping Shiva on Monday?
Monday Shiva worship is traditionally observed for inner peace, emotional balance and harmony in relationships, and the Shravan Somvar vrat is kept for the fulfilment of heartfelt wishes. These are matters of faith and devotion rather than guaranteed outcomes.
