16 Monday fast: The sixteen Monday fast is observed to bring happiness in married life and to get a desired life partner. By observing this fast, one gets the blessings of Lord Shiva as well as Mother Parvati. It is believed that the sixteen Monday fast was started by Mother Parvati to get Lord Shiva as her husband.
There is confusion among people as to when it is considered auspicious to start the fast of sixteen Mondays.
From which month should the fast of sixteen Mondays be started?
Actually, the fast of sixteen Mondays is started in the month of Kartik and Margashirsha. But this year the Monday falling in the month of Shravan is considered the best. It is best to observe the fast of sixteen Mondays from this month. In such a situation, the first Monday of Sawan this year is on 22 July 2024. From this day you can start observing the fast of sixteen Mondays.
Sixteen Monday Fast Worship Method
On the first Monday of the month of Sawan, get up before sunrise, retire from all the work and take a bath by adding black sesame seeds in the bathing water. After this, wear clean clothes and take a vow to fast. Then fast for the whole day. Performing the sixteen Monday fast during Pradosh Kaal is considered most auspicious and your worship should be done before sunset. Now if you are worshiping at home, then first of all anoint the Shivling. Then offer Panchamrit while chanting the Om Namah Shivaya mantra. Then bathe with water and Gangajal. After this, apply white sandalwood and offer Belpatra and Dhatura. Light incense and offer fruits and kheer. Worship Mother Parvati along with Lord Shiva.
Importance of 16 Monday fast in Sawan
Monday is said to be the auspicious day of Lord Shiva. On this day, devotees visit Shiva temples to seek blessings and boons from the Lord. Lord Shiva is known to remove major difficulties from the lives of his devotees. Unmarried women observe a fast on 16 Mondays to please Lord Shiva, so that they get a life partner like Lord Shiva. Also, girls whose marriage is getting delayed have also been seen observing this fast. This fast starts from the first Monday of Sawan and lasts for 16 weeks. During these days, people observe Monday fast, read and listen to the story.