How do we keep the Śrāvaṇa (Sāvan) Monday fasts?

on each Monday of Śrāvaṇa, do Śiva pūjā with water and bilva, fast or eat simply, and hear the Somavāra vrata-kathā.

Śrāvaṇa, the monsoon month, is especially dear to Śiva, and its Mondays (Somavāra, the moon’s day — the moon sits on Śiva’s head) are the heart of it. Some keep all the Mondays; others make a vow of, say, 5 or 16 Mondays (Solah Somvār).

A common pattern: bathe early, offer water or milk and bilva to a Śiva-liṅga at home or in a temple, chant “Oṁ Namaḥ Śivāya”, and read the Somavāra vrata-kathā. Many eat only fruit and milk until evening and then take one sāttvic meal without grains or with a single simple dish; others keep a full fast till sunset. Unmarried girls often keep these fasts praying for a good life partner, and couples for family harmony.

Note that Śrāvaṇa starts about two weeks apart in Pūrṇimānta (North) and Amānta (West/South) calendars, so neighbours may differ — both are correct.

Moon (Soma) adorns Śiva — hence Monday · Source: Somavāra vrata-kathā; common practice

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