The Solah Somvar Vrat and Shravan Somvar are both Monday observances dedicated to Lord Shiva, but they are not the same vrat.
The Solah Somvar Vrat is a longer sankalp in which a devotee observes the vrat for Solah consecutive Mondays. Shravan Somvar is tied to the month; Solah Somvar continues beyond it. The four Shravan Somvars are the Mondays that fall during the month of Shravan.
In 2026, the dates also depend on the Purnimanta calendar followed in your region. In North and East India, the four Shravan Somvars fall on August 3, 10, 17 and 2.
In South and West India following the Amanta calendar, they fall on August 17, August 24, August 31 and September 7.
Key Takeaways
- Shravan Somvar is the Monday vrat observed during the month of Shravan.
- In 2026, there are four Shravan Somvars in both the North Indian and Amanta calendars, but the dates differ.
- The Solah Somvar Vrat means observing a Monday vrat for Solah consecutive Mondays.
- You can observe the four Shravan Somvars without taking a Solah-Monday sankalp.
- A Solah Somvar Vrat continues after Shravan has ended.
- Shiva puja, Abhishek, Bilva leaves and chanting Om Namah Shivaya are common forms of worship.
- A popular vrat katha is recited on Mondays as part of the observance.
- Customs around fasting and the concluding Udyapan can vary by family, region and tradition.
What Is the Solah Somvar Vrat?
The Solah Somvar Vrat, is a sankalp to observe a Monday vrat for Solah consecutive Mondays.
Unlike the four Shravan Somvars, it does not end when Shravan ends.
For example, a devotee who begins the Solah Somvar Vrat with the first North Indian Shravan Somvar on August 3, 2026, would continue observing the Monday vrat for Solah consecutive Mondays, taking the observance well beyond the end of Shravan.
This is the biggest difference between the two:
Shravan Somvar = four Mondays within Shravan.
Solah Somvar Vrat = sixteen consecutive Mondays as one longer vow.
The Solah Somvar Vrat is particularly associated in popular practice with prayers for marriage, marital harmony and other personal wishes, but it is better understood as a sustained devotional discipline rather than a guaranteed result.
The Story Behind Solah Somvar Vrat?
Alongside the puja vidhi, most families also include a vrat katha, a story recited or listened to as part of the Monday worship.
One version, commonly heard across Shiva temples during Shravan, speaks of a poor Brahmin who worshiped Lord Shiva with complete sincerity every Monday, despite having very little to offer. He continued his simple water Abhishek and prayers without fail.
Pleased with his unwavering devotion, Lord Shiva is said to have blessed him with wellbeing and relief from hardship.
Another commonly told version connects the observance to Goddess Parvati, who is said to have undertaken long penance and Monday fasts to be united with Lord Shiva.
This version is often cited as the reason many unmarried devotees observe Somvar Vrat while praying for a compatible life partner, while married devotees pray for their spouse’s wellbeing and for harmony in the family.
These stories are not identical in every household. The version recited, and the emphasis placed on it, tends to follow family and regional tradition rather than a single fixed text.
Why do devotees continue this practice? At the centre of both versions is the same idea: that sincere, consistent devotion is what matters, not the scale of the offering.
This is part of why Shravan Somvar is observed so widely, by devotees seeking better health, family harmony, marriage prospects or simply a steady, focused connection with Lord Shiva during a month considered especially dear to Him. As with all vrat kathas, these are matters of faith and tradition.
Rudralife shares them as they are commonly understood and passed down, not as a claim of guaranteed outcomes.
What Are the Shravan Somvar?
Shravan is closely associated with Lord Shiva, and Mondays during this month are observed by many devotees through fasting, Shiva puja, Abhishek, temple visits and mantra japa.
Dr. Tanay Seetha explains what makes each Shravan Somvar significant, and the tithi behind the puja performed on it.
Rudralife’s 2026 calendar lists four Shravan Somvars in both major calendar systems, with different dates because North and East India follow the Purnimanta calendar while South and West India follow the Amanta calendar.
Shravan Somvar 2026: North & East India
| Somvar | Date |
| 1st Shravan Somvar | August 3, 2026 |
| 2nd Shravan Somvar | August 10, 2026 |
| 3rd Shravan Somvar | August 17, 2026 |
| 4th Shravan Somvar | August 24, 2026 |
Shravan Somvar 2026: South & West India
| Somvar | Date |
| 1st Shravan Somvar | August 17, 2026 |
| 2nd Shravan Somvar | August 24, 2026 |
| 3rd Shravan Somvar | August 31, 2026 |
| 4th Shravan Somvar | September 7, 2026 |
August 17 and August 24 fall as Shravan Somvar in both calendars.
This difference in dates does not mean one calendar is right and the other is wrong. The two regions follow different lunar systems, and both are established ways of calculating the Hindu calendar.
Planning your Shravan observance?
Read our Shravan (Sawan Maas) 2026 Calendar: Somwar, Festivals & Important Dates →
Why Do Devotees Observe Shravan Somvar?
Somvar means Monday, and Monday is associated with Lord Shiva. During Shravan, many devotees make Monday their main day for Shiva worship.
The observance can be simple. A devotee may visit a Shiva temple, offer water to the Shivling, offer Bilva leaves, chant Om Namah Shivaya, or perform a more detailed Abhishek at home.
Read: Powerful Lord Shiva Mantras to Chant During Shravan →
Ten mantras with meanings and pronunciation.
Rudralife’s guide to Shiva Puja at home notes that even a simple offering of water can be part of the worship. A fuller puja can include Abhishek, Bilva leaves, sandalwood, flowers, mantra chanting and Aarti.
The important point is that Shravan Somvar does not have to become complicated. A devotee can choose a form of worship that can be followed sincerely and consistently.
Shravan Somvar vs Solah Somvar Vrat
| Shravan Somvar | Solah Somvar Vrat |
| Observed during Shravan | Observed for Solah consecutive Mondays |
| Four Mondays of Shravan Month | Continues for Solah Mondays |
| Ends with the end of the four Somvars | Continues beyond Shravan |
| Can be observed as part of Shravan devotion | Begins with a specific sankalp |
| No Solah-Monday commitment is required | Requires commitment to the Solah-Monday observance |
| Focuses on Shiva worship during Shravan | A longer Monday vrat dedicated to Shiva |
So, if you observe all four Shravan Somvars, you have not automatically completed the Solah Somvar Vrat.
The Solah Somvar Vrat requires its own sankalp and completion of the Solah consecutive Mondays.
How to Observe a Shravan Somvar Vrat
There is no need to make the puja unnecessarily complicated.
A simple home observance can include:
Begin the day with cleanliness? Wake up, bathe and clean the space where you will perform your puja.
Take a sankalp? Before beginning the worship, mentally make your sankalp for the day’s vrat and puja.
Perform Shiva Puja? Place the Shivling or Shiva murti in the puja space and perform Abhishek with water. Depending on your family tradition, other offerings may also be used.
Offer Bilva leaves? Bilva leaves are an important offering in Shiva worship. Offer them respectfully while chanting Shiva’s name.
Chant Om Namah Shivaya? You can chant the Panchakshara mantra:
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Even when you have limited time, mantra japa can keep the day’s focus on Shiva.
Listen to or read the vrat katha? For a vrat, many families include the relevant vrat katha as part of their Monday worship. Follow the version and procedure followed by your family or pandit.
Complete the puja with Aarti? Finish the worship with Aarti and Prasad.
Rudralife’s home Shiva Puja guide also recommends Abhishek, Bilva leaves, mantra chanting and Aarti as part of a simple Shiva worship routine.
For a simple step-by-step home puja, read
How to Perform Shiva Puja at Home During Shravan →
The home puja above is a simple version.
This is the fuller Rudrabhishek our pandits perform on a Shravan Somvar, with each devotee’s name and gotra chanted during the ritual, if you’d like to see how the complete form is done.
How Is the Solah Somvar Vrat Observed?
The basic worship is similar to a regular Somvar Vrat, but the important difference is the Solah-Monday commitment.
On each Monday, devotees commonly:
- Wake up and bathe before beginning the day’s worship.
- Take or renew their sankalp.
- Perform Shiva Puja and Abhishek.
- Offer Bilva leaves and other appropriate puja items.
- Chant Om Namah Shivaya.
- Listen to or read the Solah Somvar Vrat Katha.
- Observe a form of fasting according to their family tradition.
- Complete the puja and receive Prasad.
Fasting practices are not identical in every family. Some devotees take only fruits or vrat-friendly foods, while others observe a stricter fast.
If you have dietary or health concerns, choose a form of fasting that is appropriate for you rather than treating one fasting pattern as compulsory.
The purpose of a long vrat is consistency in devotion, not making the practice unnecessarily difficult.
If a Shravan Monday finds you unable to perform the puja at home, Rudralife’s Vedic pandits perform it in your name and gotra. Book a Shravan Somvar Sankalp Puja →
What Is the Udyapan of Solah Somvar Vrat?
After completing the Solah Monday observances, many traditions include an Udyapan, or concluding ceremony.
The Udyapan marks the formal completion of the sankalp. The exact procedure can differ according to family tradition, regional practice and the guidance of a pandit.
The commonly described observance includes Shiva Puja, offerings, Prasad, and acts such as feeding or giving Dakshina according to one’s tradition. Some traditions perform the concluding ceremony on the 17th Monday.
This is why completing the Solah Mondays and completing the Udyapan are often treated as two connected parts of the observance.
If you are undertaking the Solah Somvar Vrat for the first time, it is a good idea to decide the Udyapan procedure with your family pandit before beginning the sankalp.
Does Solah Somvar Vrat Have to Start in Shravan?
Shravan is a popular time to begin a Somvar observance, and many devotees start their Solah Somvar Vrat sankalp on the first Shravan Somvar itself, since this is considered the most auspicious Monday to begin.
But this isn’t the only way it’s done. Some families count backward, timing their sankalp so that the fourth Shravan Somvar becomes their 16th and concluding Monday.
So the pattern depends on tradition:
- Start on the first Shravan Somvar, and continue 16 Mondays beyond Shravan.
- Or start earlier in the year, so the fourth Shravan Somvar marks the 16th and final Monday.
It is not necessary to start the Solah Somvar Vrat only on a Shravan Monday, but starting on one is widely regarded as the most auspicious choice. Whichever your family follows is valid.
Can You Observe Both?
Yes. A devotee can observe the Shravan Somvars and also take a separate sankalp for Solah consecutive Mondays.
In fact, starting a longer Monday observance during Shravan can make the month a natural starting point for a sustained Shiva practice.
But the two should still be understood separately.
The four Shravan Somvars are determined by the Shravan calendar.
The Solah Somvar Vrat is determined by the Solah consecutive Monday sankalp.
What Should You Eat During the Vrat?
Fasting practices vary considerably.
Depending on your family tradition, a Somvar vrat may involve:
- A water-only fast
- Fruits and milk
- One simple meal
Read: Shravan Fasting Diet, the four types of vrat →
What to eat, what to avoid, and how to choose.
There is no need to copy someone else’s fasting routine simply because they follow a stricter version.
The important thing is to follow the practice you have undertaken and maintain the devotional focus of the day.
If you have a medical condition, take medication, are pregnant, or have another reason to avoid fasting, speak with an appropriate healthcare professional before changing your diet.
A Simple Way to Keep the Focus on Shiva
You do not need an elaborate puja every Monday to maintain a devotional routine.
A simple routine can be:
Morning: Bathe → clean the puja space → take sankalp → offer water to Shiva → offer Bilva leaves → chant Om Namah Shivaya.
During the day: Keep the mind focused on the vrat and avoid unnecessary distractions.
Evening: Complete the day’s puja → read or listen to the vrat katha → perform Aarti → take Prasad.
For devotees who want a more detailed home worship, Rudralife’s Shiva Puja guide explains Abhishek, offerings and mantra chanting step by step.
Rudraksha During Somvar Vrat
Many devotees choose to wear Rudraksha through their Monday vrat, whether it’s a single Shravan Somvar or the full Solah Somvar sankalp.
The connection is simple, Rudraksha means the tears of Rudra, one of Shiva’s names, so it sits naturally alongside a vrat built entirely around Monday devotion to him. It isn’t a requirement for the fast or the puja to be valid, but for devotees who already wear Rudraksha, the vrat is often when they engage with it more consciously, cleaning it before Monday puja, or simply wearing it with more attention through the day.
For a longer observance like the Solah Somvar Vrat, some devotees treat Rudraksha as a quiet marker of consistency, the same bead worn from the first Monday through to the Udyapan, sixteen weeks later. Others begin wearing Rudraksha for the first time during Shravan, often choosing the first Somvar of their sankalp to start.
There’s no fixed rule connecting the two. A devotee can complete Solah Somvar Vrat without ever wearing Rudraksha, and can wear Rudraksha without observing any vrat at all. For those who choose to combine them, the bead becomes part of the routine rather than the point of it, worn during puja, through the fast, and into the evening Aarti.
Read: How to Choose the Right Rudraksha for Your Puja →
Or
Get a personalised recommendation based on your date of birth →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start Solah Somvar Vrat during Shravan? Yes, Shravan is a commonly chosen period to begin a Monday observance. However, the exact starting practice can vary, so follow your family tradition or consult your pandit.
Can more than one person in a household keep the vrat together? Yes. Families often observe the Monday vrat together, with the puja performed once for the household and each member keeping their own fast according to what suits them. Children and elderly family members usually take a lighter form.
Is fasting compulsory for everyone? Fasting is an important part of the vrat for many devotees, but the form of fasting varies. Your health and family tradition should be considered when deciding how to observe it.
What if I miss a Monday during the Solah Somvar Vrat? Practices differ. Some traditions treat the count as broken and begin again, others allow the devotee to continue. This is worth deciding with your family pandit before you take the sankalp.
Can women observe the Solah Somvar Vrat? Yes. It is observed by both men and women, and is particularly associated with unmarried devotees praying for a suitable partner and married devotees praying for family harmony.
Is there a particular time of day for the Somvar puja? Most devotees perform the puja in the morning, after bathing and before the day begins. Some also complete an evening puja with Aarti before breaking the fast. Neither is compulsory, and consistency across your sixteen Mondays matters more than the exact hour.
Read: How to Perform Shiva Puja at Home During Shravan → Every step, from Abhishek to aarti.
Bottom Line
The Shravan Somvar and Solah Somvar Vrat are connected through Monday worship of Lord Shiva, but they serve different purposes as observances.
The four Shravan Somvars give devotees an opportunity to deepen their Shiva worship during Shravan. The Solah Somvar Vrat takes that discipline further by continuing the Monday observance for Solah consecutive weeks.
You do not need to choose a complicated routine. Whether you observe one Monday, all four Shravan Somvars, or take a sankalp for Solah Mondays, begin with clarity and follow the tradition you have chosen with sincerity.
Need guidance for your Shiva Puja or Rudraksha journey?
Speak with a Rudralife expert for a free personalised consultation →
Disclaimer
Vrat rules, fasting practices, dates, vrat kathas and Udyapan procedures can vary according to region, family tradition and Panchang.
The 2026 Shravan Somvar dates differ between Purnimanta and Amanta calendars. Please confirm the date and procedure applicable to your location with your local Panchang or family pandit before observing the vrat.
Drik Panchang: Shravan Somvar Vrat dates — regional Panchang timings for your own city
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