Sawan Somwar: Fasting Approaches Vegetarians VS Non-Vegetarians

As per the Hindu calendar, the month of Sawan, also known as Shravan, is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and devotees observe several rituals and traditions all across the country. One of the most common customs is to fast on every Monday (Somwar) for the entire month. The approach to Sawan vrats involves abstaining from certain foods and often includes a strict vegetarian diet.

Since the diet includes mostly vegetarian food, a fine line between the different approaches for vegetarians and non-vegetarians can be observed. While most non-vegetarians usually avoid eating meat, fish and eggs, vegetarians further abstain from eating certain flours and vegetables like onion, garlic, whole wheat flour, and much more. Here is a deep dive into how vegetarians approach the fast as compared to non-vegetarians.

Satvik Diet: The Core Principle

While the fasting approaches for people with different dietary choices, lifestyles, and cultures might differ, the core principle behind observing a vrat on Sawan Somwar is reaching towards a Satvik diet. For both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, the end goal is to switch to lighter and healthier food while focusing on spiritual growth.

The Vegetarian Approach

Vegetarians are typically known to follow a stricter regimen while fasting than non-vegetarians. Even though vegetarians have a natural head start when it comes to adhering to the Satvik diet, they further limit their diet by avoiding onion, garlic, mushroom, wheat, rice, etc. Adding to these common restrictions, people from different regions and cultures have further customs. For example, people in Northern India try to have cooked food only once a day, and that too without using common salt. In a few regions, people also avoid lentils and certain curries.

Here's how vegetarians usually approach the fast:

  • Breakfast: A light bowl of fruits, sabudana khichdi or a glass of milk with dry fruits and nuts.
  • Lunch: Raw fruits and vegetables along with salad or curd.
  • Dinner: A light khichdi or curd rice with a side of stir-fried vegetables or sabzis made without salt.

Some of the common food options indulged by vegetarians while fasting are:

  • Raw food and dairy: Raw fruits, vegetables, milk, yoghurt, and other dairy products are staples during Sawan fasting.
  • Sabudana: Sabudana is a popular ingredient in fasting recipes, such as sabudana khichdi and sabudana vada.
  • Buckwheat and Amaranth Flour: Since most vegetarians avoid wheat flour, gluten-free options like kuttu ka atta or Rajgira flour.
  • Dry fruits: Almonds, cashew nuts, raisins, walnuts, and different types of seeds are usually eaten for healthy fat content.

Also Read: Sawan 2024: 5 Key Mistakes To Avoid When Making Sabudana Vada

The Non-Vegetarian Approach

Non-vegetarians, while generally consuming meat, fish, and eggs in their regular diet, often adopt a vegetarian or semi-vegetarian diet during Sawan. This temporary shift aligns with the cultural norms and the emphasis on having a Satvik diet during the holy month. Even though some non-vegetarians focus on cutting down on most of the above-mentioned food, it is generally observed that they tend to avoid just meat, fish or eggs and follow a less strict diet regimen.

Some of the common food options indulged by non-vegetarians while fasting are:

  • Dairy products: Milk, yoghurt, and paneer are usually included in the diet to complete the protein content.
  • Plant-based proteins: Lentils, beans, and soy products like tofu can provide protein alternatives.
  • Seasonal vegetables: For lunch or dinner, non-vegetarians usually add seasonal vegetables like okra, bitter gourd, eggplant, spinach, etc.
  • Gluten-free options: Instead of gluten, for making rice or roti, usually kuttu ka atta or samak rice.