Can We Eat Roti in Monday Fast? Understanding Somvar Vrat Rules

January 12, 2026 •

4 min read

According to Hindu tradition, observing a fast on Mondays, known as Somvar Vrat, is dedicated to Lord Shiva to seek his blessings. This sacred practice often involves specific dietary rules, leading many devotees to question: can we eat roti in Monday fast, or are grains forbidden? The answer depends on the type of fast being observed, but traditionally, wheat-based items like roti are generally avoided.

Quick Summary

This guide clarifies the rules surrounding the consumption of roti and other grains during a Hindu Monday fast, known as Somvar Vrat. It details the reasons for avoiding wheat, lists permitted flours and food items, and provides alternatives for a spiritually compliant and nourishing fast.

Key Points

Roti is Generally Avoided: For a traditional Monday fast, especially during the month of Sawan, wheat-based roti is not permitted as it is a grain, or 'anna'.
Sattvic Food is Key: The core principle is to consume sattvic foods, which are pure, clean, and promote spiritual consciousness, while avoiding tamasic foods like onions and garlic.
Choose Vrat-Friendly Flours: Safe alternatives for making flatbreads include kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour), singhara ka atta (water chestnut flour), and rajgira ka atta (amaranth flour).
Use Rock Salt: When cooking fasting-friendly foods, use sendha namak (rock salt) instead of regular, processed table salt.
Embrace Fruits and Dairy: A fast can be sustained by consuming fruits, milk, curd, and other dairy products, which provide essential nutrients and energy.
Consider Fasting Variations: Depending on your capacity and tradition, you can observe a Nirjala (waterless) fast, a Phalahar (fruit-based) fast, or a single-meal fast.

The Core Principle: Avoiding Grains

For many observing a traditional Somvar Vrat, the fast involves abstaining from 'anna' or grains, which are generally considered a full meal. This is especially true during the auspicious month of Shravan, where fasting practices are more rigorous. The spiritual reason behind this practice is to consume pure, sattvic food that is light, easy to digest, and promotes calmness and spiritual consciousness. Since roti is typically made from wheat flour, a major grain, it falls under the category of foods to be avoided during a strict fast.

Types of Somvar Vrat and Their Rules

Not all Monday fasts are the same, and the rules can vary depending on regional customs, personal capacity, and the specific spiritual goals of the devotee. Understanding these distinctions is key to knowing if roti is acceptable for you.

Nirjala Vrat: The strictest form, this involves fasting without consuming any food or water from sunrise to sunset. No food items, including roti, are consumed.
Phalahar Vrat: In this type of fast, devotees eat only fruits (phalahar) and dairy products throughout the day. This includes fruits like bananas, apples, and milk or curd. Roti is not permitted.
Ekam-Bhuktam Vrat: This involves consuming only one meal a day, typically in the evening after sunset and after performing the puja. The meal usually consists of permissible fasting foods, not traditional grain-based meals like roti.
Solah Somvar Vrat: Observed for 16 consecutive Mondays, the rules for this fast also generally prohibit grains like wheat. The fast is broken with a light, fasting-friendly meal.

Permitted Alternatives to Roti

When wheat-based roti is off the table, many alternatives exist that are delicious, filling, and fully compliant with Monday fasting rituals. These flour substitutes allow devotees to prepare flatbreads or other dishes that adhere to the principles of a sattvic diet.

List of Allowed Flours for Fasting

Kuttu ka Atta (Buckwheat Flour): A very popular choice for fasting, this flour is used to make puris or rotis that are enjoyed with a simple potato curry.
Singhara ka Atta (Water Chestnut Flour): Known for its light texture, singhara flour can be used to make soft rotis or puris for a fasting meal.
Rajgira ka Atta (Amaranth Flour): This gluten-free flour is another excellent alternative and can be used to make parathas or puris.
Samak ke Chawal ka Atta (Barnyard Millet Flour): Often used to make rotis, this grain-like millet is a safe and nourishing alternative.

Other Fasting-Friendly Foods

Sabudana (Tapioca Pearls): Sabudana is used to prepare energy-rich dishes like khichdi or vadas, which are perfect for a fast.
Root Vegetables: Potatoes and sweet potatoes are staples during fasting and can be used to make curries, tikkis, or chaat.
Dairy Products: Milk, curd, and buttermilk are widely consumed to provide energy and hydration.
Fruits and Nuts: A fruit chaat, dry fruits like almonds and cashews, and makhana (fox nuts) are all permitted and provide sustained energy.
Sendha Namak (Rock Salt): Regular table salt is avoided, and sendha namak is used instead to season dishes.

Monday Fasting Food Comparisons

To make informed choices during your Somvar Vrat, consider this comparison of common food items.


Feature	Wheat Roti (Typically Avoided)	Kuttu Ki Roti (Permitted Alternative)
Flour Type	Wheat flour (Atta), considered a grain	Buckwheat flour (Kuttu ka atta), a non-grain flour
Fast-Friendliness	Not suitable for traditional Somvar Vrat, especially during Shravan	Vrat-friendly and widely accepted for Hindu fasts
Preparation	Requires standard kneading, rolling, and cooking	Can be more delicate; often requires added potatoes for binding
Taste Profile	Neutral, slightly nutty flavor	Nutty, earthy flavor; pairs well with fasting curries
Digestibility	Can be heavy and difficult to digest	Lighter on the stomach and considered sattvic
Typical Accompaniment	Curries, dals, sabzis	Aloo ki sabzi (potato curry) or curd

The Spiritual Significance of Fasting Rules

The food restrictions during Somvar Vrat are not arbitrary; they are deeply rooted in spiritual principles. Avoiding grains like wheat and other tamasic (impure) foods such as onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian items is believed to purify the mind and body. By consuming simple, sattvic food and engaging in prayer, devotees aim to increase their spiritual consciousness and better focus on their devotion to Lord Shiva. The act of fasting is an exercise in self-discipline and self-control, helping to quiet worldly distractions and strengthen one's connection with the divine.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Fast

The question of "can we eat roti in Monday fast?" reveals the need for understanding the specific rules of Somvar Vrat. For a traditional fast, especially during significant periods like Shravan, wheat-based roti is generally not permitted, as grains are avoided. However, a wide array of delicious and nutritious alternatives made from flours like kuttu and singhara are available. Ultimately, the best practice is to follow traditional guidelines by opting for these fasting-friendly alternatives to maintain the sanctity and spiritual purity of your Monday fast.

For more information on traditional Hindu fasting practices, including the deeper significance behind them, resources like this guide from NeuAstro can be helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions

In Hindu fasting, especially for Somvar Vrat, traditional grains like wheat and rice are considered 'anna' and are generally avoided to promote a more spiritual and sattvic diet. This practice is believed to purify the mind and body.

Regular table salt is processed and may contain additives, whereas sendha namak (rock salt) is an unprocessed, pure form of salt that is considered suitable for religious fasting.

Yes, potatoes and sweet potatoes are widely accepted during Monday fasts. They are versatile, filling root vegetables that can be prepared in many fasting-friendly ways, such as a simple curry or tikki.

No, onions and garlic are typically avoided during Monday fasts, as they are considered tamasic foods that can disturb the balance of the mind and body.

This depends on personal tradition and the strictness of the fast. Some traditions permit it, while others advise against it. Healthier, often-preferred alternatives include herbal tea, coconut water, and lemon water.

Sattvic food is pure, clean, and vegetarian food that promotes calmness and spiritual well-being. It is central to Monday fasting, as it helps align the mind and body for devotion to Lord Shiva.

You can prepare a filling meal using alternatives like kuttu ki puri or rajgira paratha, served with a simple aloo (potato) or lauki (bottle gourd) curry. Sabudana khichdi or makhana kheer are also excellent, energy-rich options.