This year, Sawan starts today, i.e., July 22, 2024, and will conclude on August 19, 2024.
The holy month of Sawan begins today, and hence devotees of Lord Shiva are all geared up for the celebrations. Throughout the month, devotees will perform various rituals to worship Lord Shiva. And the most important among them is the fasts observed weekly on every Monday, known as Sawan Somwar upvas.
On Sawan Somwar, devotees wake up early (typically before sunrise), take a bath, wear new clothes, clean their homes, and worship the Shivling. The offerings to Lord Shiva include bel pata, jaggery, panchamrit, milk, rice, and Chandan among others. And besides performing the puja, one must observe fast from dawn to dusk in order to attain spiritual enlightenment.
If you are observing the Sawan Somwar vrat, it's important that you do it the right way. And for that, you need proper knowledge of which food items you can consume during these times. Don't worry, we have got you covered!
Most observing the vrat opt for fruits to stay energized. But you could go for a plate of fruit salad to make it more delicious. Mix chopped pieces of fruits like apple, banana, guava, mango, and papaya. Sprinkle a bit of salt, chili powder, and olive oil, and you are good to go.
Being high in nutrition, fruit salad will give your body the required energy and hydration during fasting.
Sabudana (tapioca) is packed with carbohydrates and hence is an ideal choice for the vrat. Also, it contains a good amount of fiber and protein, keeping you full for a long time. What's more, it's light on the stomach and is immensely easy to digest.
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You can easily prepare various dishes of sabudana. For instance, sabudana khichdi could be a good option which is healthy and tasty at the same time. And if you crave something crispy, go for sabudana vada.
You cannot consume rice during the fast. Therefore, millet could be a great alternative for sure! Samak, a popular type of millet, comes atop the list as it's loaded with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. You can cook it like regular rice and consume it with vegetables. And if you have excess time, make it into pulao or khichdi with lots of peanuts and veggies. Samak idli could be another option as well.
Potatoes are our savior literally every day. And during the sawan somwar fast, you can rely on potatoes (or better, sweet potatoes) for all good reasons. Being high in carbohydrates, they will provide you with a good amount of energy, keeping you fit the entire day. Also, they can be made into various dishes such as mashed potato, fries, potato jeera, etc.
Whether it's milk, yogurt, or cheese - dairy products are allowed to consume during the vrat. Packed with protein, calcium, and probiotics among other nutrients, they help keep you full for a long time and also keep your body energized. And you can have them frequently throughout the day.
The list doesn't end here. Besides these items, it also includes coconut, kuttu flour, and nuts and seeds.
