Monday — the day of Shiva

Monday (Somvar) is Shiva's day. He is bholenath — pleased by the simplest devotion: water poured on the Shivling, a bilva leaf, his five-syllable mantra. The Somvar vrat is among the most widely kept in India, and the Mondays of Shravan multiply its merit manifold.

What to do today

• Offer water or milk and bilva leaves on the Shivling.
• Chant "Om Namah Shivaya"; recite the Shiv Chalisa or Shiv Aarti.
• Keep the Somvar vrat, especially in the month of Shravan.