fasts and vrats
Why do some people fast on Mondays?
What the tradition says
Monday, or Somvar, is linked to Shiva in Hindu belief. Some devotees keep a fast on Mondays as a vow, called a vrat, to show respect and devotion to him. The fast can be partial or complete, depending on the person and the household. Some drink milk or eat fruit. Others eat nothing until evening or the next day. The idea behind it is that the fast shows commitment and brings the person closer to Shiva. It is a voluntary act of worship, not a command.
How it is practised
The Monday fast varies widely. In some homes, it is a lifelong practice. In others, it is kept for a set number of weeks or months, often for a specific wish or intention. Some people fast every Monday, while others choose certain Mondays tied to the lunar calendar or to seasons. Some families do it together. Others keep it alone. The practice looks different from household to household and region to region.
Today
The Monday fast is still kept by many Hindus around the world, both at home and in the diaspora. For some it is a deep spiritual habit passed down through family. For others it is a way to stay connected to the tradition while life is busy. Some people combine it with prayer or temple visits. Others simply keep the fast as a quiet personal practice. How seriously and how often people fast changes with their own lives and beliefs.