Monday Fast is solely dedicated to Lord Shiva

 Monday Fast is solely dedicated to Lord Shiva. Millions of People admire Lord from the depth of their hearts with extreme devotion. Every Monday you notice a massive crowd of devotees in Shiva temples, because Monday is very dear to Mahadev. It's believed that people who observe Upvaas on Monday will have their desires fulfilled and will be blessed with wisdom.

🕉 People who are facing obstacles in married life or facing delays in marriage observe Monday fast. Fasting on Mondays is also beneficial to girls for accomplishing the wish of getting a desired partner. Monday fast can be observed in three ways ; simple Monday fast, Som Pradosh Vrat, and Solah somvar vrat (Monday fast for sixteen weeks). Most devotees also observe fast during four or five Mondays of Shravan month. It is believed that worshiping Lord Shiva during Shravan month is very auspicious. And observing Monday fast and reciting Solah Somvar Vrat Katha during Shravan month can make Lord Shiva happy for the sure. As Shravan month is deeply dear to Mahadev.

🕉 Upvass or fasting on Mondays begins at sunrise and ends at sunset. On this day, food is only eaten after evening prayer. As lord Shiva is very kind and simple God, so many people keep fast as it suits them. Some don't eat anything through out the day, and drink just water. Some eat just fruit, milk and just dairy products. While some eat one meal with or without salt in the evening after making prayers to Lord Shiva. One should avoid grains and beans on this day. Some observe fast with neither eating nor drinking at all. So it's all up to you.

🕉 Monday fasting or observing fast during Monday is very simple, there isn't much colossal rituals attached to this vrat. But the person who does this vrat should be pure from his heart. On every fasting day one should wake up early in the morning and start his routine activities after worshiping Lord Shiva. For worshiping Lord Shiva you can install Shivlingam, idol or picture of Lord Shiva in pooja ghar at home. Remember, face of Shivalinga should be in North direction. The resolution of this fast should be taken infront of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. With devotion offer Bel Patra, Roli, chawal, flowers, Dhoop, Dip, Diya, chandan, Dhatura, Milk, Curd, fruit & food to Lord Shiva. If nothing is available, simple water will do as Shiva sees the pious heart of his true devotee. Then, the Aarti should be performed and Prasadam distributed.

🕉 Remember, Red Kumkum or Sindur and Tulsi leaves are not offered to Lord Shiva. And after doing Shiva Pooja, read or hear Somvar Vrat Katha, as hearing Somvar Vrat Katha is important part of Monday fast. Chant Mantra 'OM NAMAH SHIVAY' throughout the day. And late in the evening after again worshiping Lord Shiva you can have a one time sweet meal without salt. Eating fruits like banana, apple, papaya is also good in Monday fast.

🕉 It is believed that Maa Parvati deeply wanted to marry Lord Shiva, and thus she did solah somvar vrat with immense devotion to get Mahadev. Hence Some women fast for 16 Mondays in a row to please Shiva. Young girls observe this fast so that they can have a husband like Lord Shiva as Shiva is seen as the ideal husband and is very easy to please.

🕉 After the completion of Solah Somvar Vrat, on the day of Udhyapan, Brahmans and children should be given Kheer, Puri, sweets etc and donations as per the capacity of an individual. On sunset, worshipping of Lord Shiva in Pradosh Kal is considered the most favourable!

🕉 It is believed that Monday fasting will be very fruitful if started from first Monday of Shukla Paksh of Shravan month (June-July). Four or five Monday fasting can be done in a go . And as per willingness the person can continue this fast till 16 weeks of Monday starting from Shukla Paksh ( waxing period of moon) of Shravan month. But simple Monday fast can also be started from first Monday of Shukla Paksha of Hindi Months - Chaitra, Baisakh, Kartik and Margsheersh.

Om Shiva Om Shakti Namah Shiva Namah Shakti ~ Jai ShankarParvati!!