Devotees offer Somwari puja at a temple on Boring Road in Patna on Monday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, July 18: For most marriageable maidens in the state, Saawan is the season to pray for “man-chaha var” (husband of choice). Only prayer though won’t do. The girls are also fasting on Mondays (somwari vrath) to push their wishlist to Lord Shiva.

According to Hindu belief, the month of Saawan, which began on July 15, is auspicious for unmarried girls and if they observe somwari vrath (fast) on either one, two or 16 Mondays, they are blessed with good husbands.

Not surprisingly, temples in the capital were packed with young girls today jostling with each other for space and time to perform the rituals and pour holy water on Lord Shiva’s idol. The girls didn’t shy away from accepting that somwari vrath will help them get desired life partners.

“I have been observing the somwari vrath since I was in Class VI. Initially, my mother pushed me to observe this fast so that the lord blesses me with a good husband in future but today, the vrath has a special meaning for me as I want to pray to God to get me married to my boyfriend Awijeet only. You know love marriages are still very difficult in our society,” said Anjali Sinha (name changed), a Part II student of Patna Women’s College, who has been in a relationship with Awijeet for three years now.

“It is the girl who has to leave her parent’s home after marriage. There may be unfavourable conditions at times at the in-laws’ place and the girl might find herself isolated. It is better for girls to start observing somwari vrath so that God makes all the conditions favourable from the beginning,” said Aishwarya Raj (20), a friend of Anjali, who too had kept the fast.

Poonam Kumari (19), a student of Nalanda Open University, said: “I will not even drink water today so that I can please the Lord with my utmost devotion. Of course, I am keeping this fast to ensure a good husband for myself. After all I have to spend my life with him. It’s very important that I get a good match. I can’t say anything to my parents who will find the suitable groom for me but at least from my side I can pray to Lord Shiva for a desired husband. It is said that keeping fast on somwari in Saawan or on the occasion of Shivratri helps girls get good husbands.” Poonam offered 108 belpatra, dhatura, aprajita flower and bhang to the lord’s idol on the occasion.

Kashish Singh, a Class XII student of Baldwin Academy, made it a point to worship Shiva for one hour today. “I have come here with my friends to pray to the lord. All of us want to take blessings for successful careers. But, of course, getting a good husband tops our list of wishes,” said 16-year-old Kashish. Archana Kumari, Kashish’s friend, said: “I want the best husband for myself, so I am keeping this fast to ensure my wish is granted.”