Shravan Vrat - What to Eat and What Not to Eat
People of Hindu faith consider the Shravan month to be highly sacred. During this month, devotees worship and offer prayers to Lord Shiva and observe fasting. It is believed that Lord Shiva is very kind and quickly accepts the devotion of his followers, fulfilling all their wishes and desires. Many Hindus observe the Shravan Monday fast, but it is important to know what should and shouldn’t be eaten during this fast. Let’s discuss this in detail.
How to Observe the Fast:
On each Monday or daily, you should visit a Shiva temple and offer prayers with lamps, incense, fruits, and flowers while keeping the fast throughout the day. Perform abhishekam (ritual bathing) of the Shiva Lingam with milk and offer bel leaves. In the evening, break your fast with sweet food, and the next day, after worshipping Lord Shiva, donate to the needy according to your wishes. It is necessary to complete the fast according to the vow you have taken. It is said that those who follow the rules and worship with devotion will have all their desires fulfilled. During this fast, one should wear white clothes, use white sandalwood for tilak, and donate white items. Donating items such as milk, ghee, curd, kheer, rice, buttermilk, white sandalwood, sweets, and misri (crystal sugar) brings happiness to the home.
Method of Worship:
Perform the same ritual of worship daily throughout the month. Start by worshipping Ganapati, then proceed to worship Lord Shankar, followed by Durga, Lord Vishnu, and finally the Navagrahas (Nine Planets). Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” 3, 7, or 11 times. Recite “Om Namah Shivaya” and the “Mahamrityunjaya” mantra daily during the Shravan month.
Significance of Shravan Monday Vrat:
The Shravan month is considered the best time for worshipping Lord Shiva, and Mondays during this month hold special significance. It is believed that observing a fast and performing worship on Mondays makes Lord Shiva pleased and he fulfills the wishes and desires of his devotees.
What to Eat During the Fast:
Those observing the fast should consume only fruits throughout the day. Seasonal fruits like apples, mangoes, bananas, and raw coconut, curd, buttermilk, or lassi can be included in the fruit-based diet. To break the fast in the evening, you can have sabudana khichdi, kheer, lauki or pumpkin curry, boiled potato tikki, or halwa. Use only rock salt (sendha namak) during this time
What Not to Eat During the Fast:
During the Shravan month, one should avoid tamasic (heavy) foods, especially on Mondays. Do not consume green vegetables. Eggplant and pointed gourd are also considered inauspicious. Avoid foods made with excessive spices or besan (gram flour) and do not use regular salt.
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