Karthikai month Somavara fasting

What is Karthikai month Somavara fasting?

It is the fasting on Monday of Karthigai month. Soma means Moon. And he is the Lord of Monday. Lord Shiva is also known as the Someshwar as he sports a crescent on his hair. This fast is known to be very auspicious for worship of Lord Shiva.

Other Mondays related to Lord Shiva.

The first Monday after a New moon of any month, especially Phalgun (February/March) is auspicious. This month is known for the Shivratri festival. When no moon day or ‘Amavasi’ falls on a Monday, the day is very propitious for observing Somavara vrata and it is called as ‘Somavati Amavasai’.

Somavar Vrat in different parts of  India.

The observance of Somvara vrata varies in different states of India. In Maharashtra, Gujarat and the northern states of India, the Mondays of the Hindu month of Shravan, that is from July to August, as per the Gregorian calendar, is considered chosen for fasting and is known as Shravan Somavara. In the southern Indian states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the Mondays falling in the Hindu month of Karthik is held sacred. While in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the Mondays in the Tamil month of Karthigai (the months of November-December) is held auspicious and is observed as ‘Karthikai Somavaram’.

Rituals of the Somvara Vrata

• The Somavara vrata starts from the sunrise on Monday. The observer of this vrata should wake up at the dawn and meditate the supreme Lord Shiva. After taking a bath, the devotees offer their prayers to Gracious Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The one who observes this vrata adorns a white colored dress.
• Special puja is performed that starts by anointing the Shivling of Lord Shiva with ‘Panchamritham’ that is a sanctified mixture of honey, curd, milk, ocimum leaves and curd, along with other special substances. Devotees also offer Bhasma (Vibhuthi) and Bilva Patra to Lord Shiva as these are considered to be the favorites of the lord. Naivedya or special food offerings is also prepared and offered to appease Lord Shiva. There is also a significance of offering white flowers on the Shivling.
• Later in the evening the Somavara vrata katha, the story narrating the vrata is read by the observer of this vrata. The devotees enchant the ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ all through the day. The observer of the Somavara vrata can fast completely or may even take a single meal after midday. Partial fast can also be observed by taking sabudana khichadi or fruits.
• The devotees end their fast on the next day after performing the usual rituals and prayers of the morning. The prasadam is then distributed among other devotees and also offered to the poor or needy. Usually the devotees observing the Somavara vrata visit any Lord Shiva temple during morning and evening. If however, this is not possible, prayers can also be offered at their home.

Important Timings On Sri Somavara Vrata

Significance

The Somavara vrata is known to offer several benefits to its takers. This vrata can be observed by all. Young unmarried girls observe this vrata to get good husbands. Married couples also observe the vrata and pray the divine couple of Shiva and Parvati and ask for peaceful family life. It is said that the observer of Somavara vrata will be blessed to enjoy all the pleasures of the world and then finally attain moksh and reach Kailasam, Lord Shiva’s lok.

Legend

As per the Hindu legend, God of Moon observed this vrata to acquire his moonness. Moon is also referred as ‘Soma’ and saluted Lord Shiva and prayed to Him to name this observance as the ‘Somavara vrata’. He also asked Lord Uma Maheshwara that whoever perform this sacred fast should be grated all materialistic pleasures and finally attain liberation. Lord Shiva fulfilled this boon. Sage Vashishta also performed this vratam and in return got arun thadi as his better half. A person observing the Somavara vrata will be granted the blessings of Shiva-Shakti sincerely.

All Sri Somavara Vrata dates in 2017 and Parna Time