Solah Somvar Pooja Samagri /KIT by IndianJadiBooti

The kit contains a variety of items including a Shiv Darbar Poster, a Somvar Vrat Katha Book, Kumkum, Agarbatti (incense sticks), Kapoor (camphor), Dhoop (incense), Honey, Supari (betel nut), White Chandan (sandalwood), Gangajal (holy water from the Ganges Bhashm (ashes), a 1.25-meter piece of White Cloth, Sarvkarya Siddhi Yantra, Itar (perfume), Mishri (crystal sugar), Janeu (sacred thread), Laung (cloves), Ilachi (cardamom), an Aarti Diya (lamp), Pooja Batti (cotton wick for puja lamp), Rudraksh mala (rosary), Belpatr (leaves offered to Shiva), and Bhang seeds.

The Sixteen Monday Fast, widely known as Solah Somvar Vrat, is a significant observance involving 16 consecutive Mondays devoted to Lord Shiva, aiming to garner his favors and blessings. It is a spiritual practice carried out to achieve prosperity, wealth, happiness, and spiritual wellbeing. It's commonly held that the benevolent Lord Shiva bestows the desires of those who seek his blessings earnestly.

Monday, known as Somvar in Hindi, is a day reserved for the homage to Lord Shiva, recognized as the paramount creator in the universe. A multitude of followers visit Shiva temples every Monday, showing their reverence and thankfulness to Mahadev. Many of these worshippers choose to fast partially or completely on this day, hoping to receive Lord Shiva’s divine grace. Recognized as a highly meritorious fast within Hinduism, the Somvar Vrat is customarily observed with devotees consuming only water throughout the day, although some opt for a single meal post-puja in the afternoon, including foods like milk, fruits, curd, and sabudana (Tapioca).

This fast is particularly recommended for those experiencing delays in getting married or facing problems in their married life. It is believed to instill marital harmony and contentment. Observing the Monday fasts can also be crucial for those wishing to find a suitable life partner. According to the Shiva Purana, the benefits of keeping the Somvar Vrat include improved health, wealth, peace, prosperity, and success in professional life. Devotees who offer datura fruit and flowers on the Shivling and recite sacred Shiva mantras every Monday are said to reap immense benefits.

भगवान को सावन यानी श्रावण का महीना बेहद प्रिय है। ऐसी मान्यता है कि इस महीने में खासकर सोमवार के दिन व्रत-उपवास और पूजा पाठ (रुद्राभिषेक, कवच पाठ, जाप इत्यादि) का विशेष लाभ होता है। वैसे भी सोमवार का अंक 2 (पहला रविवार और दूसरा सोमवार) होता है जो चन्द्रमा का प्रतिनिधित्व करता है। चन्द्रमा मन का संकेतक है और वह भगवान शिव के मस्तक पर विराजमान है। चंद्रमा मनसो जातः यानी चंद्रमा मन का मालिक है और उसके नियंत्रण और नियमण में उसका (चंद्रमा का) अहम योगदान है। यानी भगवान शंकर शिव के मस्तक पर चंद्रमा को नियंत्रित कर उक्त साधक या भक्त के मन को एकाग्रचित कर उसे अविद्या रुपी माया के मोहपाश से मुक्त कर देते हैं। भगवान शंकर की कृपा से भक्त त्रिगुणातीत (सत, रज और तम गुण) भाव को प्राप्त करता है और यही उसके जन्म-मरण से मुक्ति का आधार बनता है। यही वजह है कि सनातन धर्म में यह महीना बेहद पवित्र माना जाता है