Monday is considered to be the day of Lord Shiva. Monday is the favorite day of Lord Shiva. There are many benefits of keeping a fast on Monday. On this day, devotees go to the Shiva temple to get the blessings and boons of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is known to remove major difficulties from the lives of devotees. Unmarried girls keep a fast on 16 Mondays to please Lord Shiva, so that they get a husband like Shiva. It starts from the Monday before Sawan, which lasts for 16 weeks. During these days, people keep a fast on Monday, recite, listen to the story.
Some rules for worship
- The first rule of this fast is that the heart of the person observing this fast should be pure and filled with devotion.
- On the day of the fast, wake up before sunrise and take a bath and add black sesame seeds to the bath water.
- If you bathe the Shiv Linga, add honey, curd and milk to the water.
- The time of worship should be the same every Monday.
- Keep chanting Mahamrityunjaya while performing the abhishekam.
- In the fast of 16 Mondays, prepare the Prasad on the previous Monday and consume it for 16 Mondays. Do not make any changes in the Prasad
How to observe Monday fast
- To keep a fast on Monday, wake up early, take a bath and wear clean clothes. It is good if you wear white clothes. This color is the favorite of Bholenath.
- Go to the temple or prayer room and worship Lord Shiva.
- Light a lamp of ginger oil and clean the idol and apply sandalwood and decorate it with flowers. Chant Lord Shiva.
- Now take a pledge of fasting by holding the Belpatra in your hand. After this, fast regularly for 16 Mondays.
- Now take water, whole rice, betel leaf, coin and a betel nut in your hand and take a pledge while chanting the mantra of Lord Shiva and offer Panchamrit.
- At the end of the puja, offer betel leaves, dry fruits, coconut, sweets and fruits.
Also read : What happens by eating Belpatra offered on Shivling, its benefits and disadvantages
- Read the Monday Vrat Katha, light camphor and conclude the puja by prostrating before the altar.
- After the puja you will have to fast for the whole day. If you work outside, you can go to the office after the puja.
- In the evening, light a lamp in front of the idol and offer prasad. After the evening puja, you can eat prasad and some fruit if you wish.
Ingredients for Monday fast
The items include idol of Lord Shiva or Shivling, Ganga water, milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, white sandalwood, flowers, flower garland, Akshat, Belpatra, Dhatura, Bhaang, incense, lamp, agarbatti, fruits and sweets etc.
What should not be done during the fast
- On Monday one should keep oneself away from negative feelings like jealousy, anger and hatred.
- That you should avoid stealing, lying and doing other immoral acts.
- During the fast, one should listen to as many stories of Lord Shiva as possible and meditate on him.
- This fast is considered very difficult, therefore those who observe the fast must take a pledge to observe the 16 Monday fast and complete it.
- One should not leave the Monday fast midway as other fasts go waste.
- After performing the Monday fasting puja, accept the prasad at the place of worship, getting up in the middle of the puja is not considered auspicious.
- To observe this fast, only satvik things should be consumed. Do not prepare non-vegetarian food in the house even by mistake on Monday.
Benefits of fasting on Monday
- By observing the sixteen Monday fast with faith and devotion, all wishes are fulfilled. Also, with the grace of Lord Shiva, one gets relief from all kinds of problems in life.
- By observing fast on Monday, married women get happiness, peace and prosperity in their lives and unmarried girls get their desired groom.
- Worshiping Lord Shiva and listening to his story during Monday fast gives spiritual advancement along with peace and stability to the mind.
FAQs related to Monday fast
Why do women observe fast on Monday?
Women observe fast on Mondays for the long life of their husbands. It is believed that if Shiva devotees worship Lord Shiva with proper rituals in this month, then all their wishes are definitely fulfilled.
Should hair be washed during Monday fast?
No, avoid washing hair on this day, because washing hair on this day does not give the full benefits of the puja.
What happens by fasting every Monday?
The fast of Monday is observed to worship Lord Chandra and Lord Shiva. By observing this fast with devotion, one gets relief from mental troubles and all wishes are fulfilled.
How many Mondays should one fast?
Keep fast from every Monday of Shravan till all 16 Mondays.
Why do girls keep fast on Monday?
Unmarried girls observe fast of Lord Shiva so that they can find a suitable groom for themselves.
What happens by keeping a fast on Monday?
It is said that by the grace of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati, the son who died was given life again. Keeping a fast on Monday brings blessings from Lord Shiva.