The observance of Somavara Vrata is different from place to place. The couples who want to observe Somavara vrata wake up early from bed and perform spiritual or ceremonial bath. And they start praying the divine couple Parvati Parameshwara (Uma Maheshwara). The Lord is anointed with Panchamritham (the sanctified mixture of milk, ghee, curd, honey and ocimum leaves) and other sacred substances.
Devotees offer Vibhuthi (Bhasma) and Bilva Patra (Bilva leaves) which are favorites of Lord Shiva. Devotees offer naivedya (food offerings) to the Lord and they perform food charity to their fellow devotees and to the poor.
Legend of Somavara Vrata :
The Moon God observed the Vrata (puja) to get his moonness. As the Moon is also called as Soma, he saluted Lord Uma Maheshwara and prayed to him that this observance be called as Somavara Vrata.
Glory or Benefits of Somvar Vrata:
One who observes Somvar vrata would enjoy every pleasure in the world and after death that person would reach Kailasa (Salvation or Moksha or Shiva lok).
Kartika Somavara Vratam is one of the pujas to observe during the Mondays in the month of Karthik. In 2009, the auspicious days to perform Somvar Vrata are as per North India are – October 5, October 12, October 19, October 26 and November 2. As per Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu and Kannada calendars, the dates of Kartika Somavara vratham in 2009 are – October 19, October 26, November 2, November 9 and November 16.
This Kartika masam 2009 as per Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra calendars is very auspicious because during this month Kartika Pournami and Karthika Amavasya both come on Mondays. The performers of Kartika Somvara vratham are very lucky to observe the vrata on Pournami and Amavasya along with other three auspicious Mondays.
Kartika Somavara Vratam is one of the pujas to observe during the Mondays in the month of Karthik. Soma is another name of Lord Shiva. Someshvara is Lord Shiva who keeps the Soma, the moon crescent on his matted hair. Kartik Somvar 2009 dates. To please the Lord Someshvara (Lord Shiva), Karthik Somavara Vratam is performed.
When is Somvar Vrata Observed?
Somvar vrata is observed on all Mondays, but there are some special Mondays when it is much more auspicious to observe. According to Hindu sacred texts, Mondays in the month of Shravan and Karthika are the best days to observe Somavara vratha. The Skanda Purana mentioned the holiness or significance of Somavara vrata during Karthika masam.
Karthika Somvara vratham is mainly observed in South India. In North India, Somvar vrat is observed in the month of Shravan month as Shravan Somvar Vrat.