Lavina Melwani

If you’re looking for the perfect soulmate, there is no need to haunt the bars, gyms, and other mating spots. Just keep a fast for Lord Shiva! I speak from experience. Many moons ago, when I was 23 and living in India, marriage was all my parents had in mind. My sisters, aunts, and sisters-in-law, as well as many of my friends, ate just one meal on Mondays and performed special rituals as a tribute to Shiva, the granter of good mates. Everyone pressured me to keep this weekly fast too, and so I finally embraced it. Just two and a half weeks after I began the fasting regimen — and totally unexpectedly — I got engaged. My aunt had heard of a very suitable boy, and she arranged a meeting between the two families. What none of the adults knew was that he and I had already met in Hong Kong and were absolutely delighted to be matched. The relatives just stared open-mouthed as we laughed and chatted as if we were the only ones in the room! Coincidence or divine intervention? I really don’t know. But decades later, I’m still happily married to the same man.

I’m convinced that there’s nothing like having a mighty matchmaker on your side. Shiva found me a better mate than I could ever have found on my own. Not surprisingly, I continue to keep this Monday fast. It’s a very spiritual practice that sets the tone for the rest of my week.

In Hinduism, there’s a fast to honour practically every deity. In northern India, Monday is Shiva’s day, while on Tuesday, the Hanuman devotees keep a fast. In the South, the Tuesday fast honours Skanda, while Thursday is the fast day for Vishnu. — Beliefnet.com