Can I eat bananas on Monday fast? Yes, Here's What You Need to Know

November 26, 2025 •

3 min read

During the sacred month of Shravan, a significant number of devotees observe Monday fasts dedicated to Lord Shiva. A common question that arises is: can I eat bananas on Monday fast? The answer is yes, as fruits are considered a key part of the approved fasting diet.

Quick Summary

Bananas are a permissible and nutritious food for a Monday fast (Somvar Vrat). They are considered sattvic and falahari, providing essential energy and hydration while adhering to religious and dietary guidelines.

Key Points

Yes, Bananas Are Allowed: As a fruit, the banana is considered a falahari and sattvic food, making it permissible during a Monday fast (Somvar Vrat).
Excellent Energy Source: Rich in potassium and carbohydrates, bananas provide a quick and sustained energy boost, preventing weakness and fatigue while fasting.
Stay Hydrated and Nourished: Eating fruits like bananas helps maintain hydration and provides essential nutrients, which is crucial during fasting periods.
Pair with Milk or Curd: For added nutrition and flavor, you can consume bananas in a smoothie, milkshake, or with a bowl of curd during your fast.
Follow Fasting Guidelines: Remember to adhere to other Somvar Vrat rules, such as avoiding grains, onion, garlic, and using rock salt instead of regular salt.

Understanding the Monday Fast (Somvar Vrat)

Observing a fast on Monday, or Somvar Vrat, is a revered practice in Hinduism, particularly during the holy month of Shravan. Devotees undertake this fast to please Lord Shiva and seek his blessings for a peaceful life, happiness, and prosperity. The fast typically involves spiritual practices like visiting Shiva temples, performing abhishekam, and chanting mantras. It is also a period of dietary discipline, emphasizing purity and simplicity in food choices.

Why Bananas are Permissible on a Monday Fast

The dietary rules for a Somvar Vrat usually permit falahar, which translates to a fruit-based diet. Bananas are not only considered a fruit but also a sattvic food, known for promoting mental clarity and spiritual well-being. Their suitability stems from several key factors:

Nutrient-rich energy: Bananas are an excellent source of natural carbohydrates, which provide a quick and sustained energy release. This helps combat the fatigue and weakness that can occur during fasting.
Easy to digest: The high fiber content in bananas aids digestion, preventing issues like constipation that some people face during fasting.
Rich in electrolytes: Bananas are packed with essential nutrients like potassium and magnesium, which help maintain the body's electrolyte balance, especially when fluid intake is limited.
Versatile consumption: Bananas can be eaten raw or incorporated into various fasting-friendly recipes like milkshakes or fruit salads.

Integrating Bananas into Your Fast

There are several ways to enjoy bananas during your Monday fast while adhering to traditional practices:

Simple Snack: Eat a fresh banana on its own to quickly replenish energy levels.
Banana and Curd: Mix sliced bananas with fresh curd (yogurt). This combination provides carbohydrates, protein, and probiotics, making it a very wholesome meal.
Milkshake or Smoothie: Blend bananas with milk and a little sugar or honey for a fulfilling and delicious beverage. This is a great option for a morning or mid-day energy boost.
Fruit Chaat: Combine bananas with other permissible fruits like apples and pomegranates, seasoned with rock salt and a dash of black pepper for a light and refreshing salad.

What to Eat and Avoid During Somvar Vrat

While observing a Monday fast, it is important to know the full list of allowed and restricted foods to maintain the sanctity of the ritual. The focus is on a sattvic diet, avoiding foods that are considered tamasic (dulling the mind) or rajasic (stimulating the senses).

Allowed Foods (Falahar)

Fruits: Fresh and seasonal fruits like bananas, apples, papaya, and watermelon.
Dairy Products: Milk, curd, buttermilk, and cottage cheese (paneer).
Certain Flours: Buckwheat (kuttu), water chestnut (singhara), and amaranth (rajgira) flour.
Starchy Vegetables: Potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Other Items: Sabudana (tapioca pearls), makhana (fox nuts), nuts, and rock salt (sendha namak).

Foods to Avoid (Anna)

Grains: Rice, wheat, lentils, and pulses.
Regular Salt: Only rock salt (sendha namak) should be used.
Spices: Onions, garlic, and turmeric are generally avoided.
Other Items: Non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and packaged or processed foods with additives.

Comparing Somvar Vrat with Other Fasts

To illustrate the specific rules of the Monday fast, here is a comparison with another common Hindu fast, Ekadashi:


Feature	Somvar Vrat (Monday Fast)	Ekadashi Vrat
Deity	Lord Shiva	Lord Vishnu
Frequency	Every Monday, particularly during Shravan	Eleventh day of each lunar fortnight
Dietary Rules	Generally allows fruits, dairy, and specific non-grain items	Often a strict grain-free fast; some devotees observe Nirjala (waterless)
Salt Type	Only rock salt (sendha namak) is used	Rock salt (sendha namak) is used
Duration	Sunrise to sunset, broken after evening prayers	24 hours, from sunrise on Ekadashi to sunrise on the next day

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are observing a Monday fast, you can confidently include bananas in your diet. Their nutritional value and status as a sattvic, fruit-based food make them an ideal choice for sustaining energy and adhering to the spiritual principles of the Somvar Vrat. By understanding the specific rules and incorporating foods like bananas, milk, and nuts, you can ensure your fast is both spiritually meaningful and physically manageable. It is a time for purification and devotion, and mindful eating with permissible foods is a central part of this practice.

Sources

Milkbasket Blog - Sawan Somvar Fasting 2025: What to Eat & Avoid
NeuAstro - What to Eat and What to Avoid During Sawan Somwar Fasting?
Times of India - Sawan Somwar: List of foods to eat and avoid during fast
Club Mahindra Blog - Know about Food Items to Eat During the Shravan Fast
Fruitsmith - Fruits For Navratri Fast 2024: Best Fruits To Eat While Fasting

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a banana milkshake made with milk and bananas is a healthy and permissible option during a Monday fast, providing both energy and nutrition.

Yes, most fresh seasonal fruits like bananas, apples, pomegranates, and papayas are allowed during a Somvar vrat. They are considered falahari and provide essential hydration and nutrients.

During a Monday fast, you should avoid grains (rice, wheat), lentils, non-vegetarian food, alcohol, onions, garlic, and regular table salt. Use rock salt instead.

While bananas provide good energy, diabetics should consume them in moderation during a fast. It is best to consult a doctor or nutritionist for personalized advice, especially if observing a prolonged fast.

Devotees typically break the fast after the evening prayers and sunset. The fast is usually concluded with a light, simple vegetarian meal.

Bananas are considered suitable for fasts because they are a naturally pure (sattvic) fruit, easy to digest, and offer a great source of instant energy, making them ideal for sustaining the body during fasting.

It is generally advised to avoid processed and fried foods, including fried banana chips, during a fast. Stick to fresh fruits and simple, homemade preparations to maintain the fast's purity.