Somvar Vrata – Observance During Mondays in Karthik Month
Posted on October 16, 2008 in Festivals by naveen
Somvar Vrata is one of the pujas to observe during the month of Karthik. Soma is one of the names of Lord Shiva. Someshvara is Lord Shiva who keeps the Soma, the moon crescent on his matted hair. To please the Lord Someshvara (Lord Shiva), Soma vara Vratam is performed.
When Somvar Vrata is Observed ?
Somvar vrata is observed all Mondays, but there are some special mondays when it is much more auspicious to observe. According to Hindu sacred texts, Mondays in the month of Shravana and Karthika are the holy days to observe Soma Vara vrata. Skanda Purana details the holiness or mahatmya of Soma varas (Mondays) of Karthika masam and the observance of Somvar Vrata in the month of Karthik.
Somvar Vrata in Karthik Month - 2008 :
In 2008, the auspicious days to perform Somvar Vrata are – all Mondays in November : November 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th.
How To Observe Somavara Vrata :
The observance of Somavara Vrata is different from place to place. The couples who want to observe Somavara vrata wake up early from bed and perform spiritual or ceremonial bath. And they start praying the divine couple – Parvati Parameshwara (Uma Maheshwara). The Lord is anointed with Panchamritham (the sanctified mixture of milk, ghee, curd, honey and ocimum leaves) and other sacred substances.
Devotees offer Vibhuthi (Bhasma) and Bilva Patra (Bilva leaves) which are favorites of Lord Shiva. Devotees offer ‘naivedya’ (food offerings) to the Lord and they perform food charity to their fellow devotees and to the poor.
Legend or Myth behind SomaVara Vrata :
The Moon observed the Vrata (puja) to get his ‘moonness’. As the Moon is also called as ‘Soma’, he saluted Lord Uma Maheshwara and prayed to him that this observance be called as ‘Somavara Vrata’.
Glory of SomVar Vrata :
One who observes Somvar vrata would enjoy every pleasure in the world and after death that person would reach ‘Kailasa’ (Salvation / Moksha / Shiva lok).
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