✨ Summary
Shravan (Sawan) 2025 is a spiritually significant month in the Hindu calendar, observed from July 25 to August 23. Devotees fast on Mondays, perform Shiva Abhishekam, chant mantras like Om Namah Shivaya, and participate in rituals and folk celebrations. Rooted in the legend of Samudra Manthan and Lord Shiva’s act of drinking poison, Shravan is considered highly auspicious for spiritual growth, purification, and divine blessings.
The month of Shravan (also known as Sawan), falling in July–August, is one of the most sacred periods in the Hindu lunar calendar, dedicated especially to Lord Shiva. This month is a time of heightened spiritual activity, marked by Monday fasting (Somvar Vrat), Shiva Puja rituals, and vibrant regional festivals across India.
Hinduism embraces the worship of different demigods and recognizes sacrifices and austerities unto them based on Vedic scriptures (Vedas, Puranas, and Upanishads).
Begins: Friday, July 25, 2025
Ends: Saturday, August 23, 2025
The month of Shravan, also known as Sawan, is considered deeply sacred in Hinduism. It is especially significant to devotees of Lord Shiva, the deity of transformation, renunciation, and divine mercy. According to the Vedic calendar, Shravan is the fifth lunar month, coinciding with the onset of the monsoon season in India—symbolizing purification and new beginnings.
Another name of Lord Shiva is “Ashutosh” which means “easily pleased.” He is known to bless even the simplest offerings made with faith—especially during Shravan. Devotees chant Om Namah Shivaya, offer water and Bael leaves, and perform Abhishekam to invoke divine grace.
However, because Lord Shiva is the greatest of Vaishnavas As stated in the Bhagavatam (12.13.16):
(Among Vaishnavas, Shiva is the greatest.)
This means Lord Shiva, in his heart, is the greatest devotee of Vishnu. When a sincere seeker prays to him with a pure heart, Shiva often redirects them toward the path of Bhakti Yoga—devotion to Lord Vishnu or Krishna, the Supreme Truth.Large Nataraja Handmade Panchaloha Bronze Statue - from Swamimalai
How is Samudra Manthan Linked to the Month of Sawan?
According to popular legends of Hinduism, the month of Sawan is a divine period because it is during this time, that the great churning of the ocean or Samudra Manthan took place. Among the many incomparable gems that came out of the ocean, was also the Halahala, a deadly poison which threatened the entire creation, including the Gods and Demons engaged in the churning.
To protect creation, Mahadeva Shiva came forward to protect the life of the cosmos. Lord Shiva selflessly drank the poison, and then held it in his throat, turning it blue—earning him the title Neelakantha ("the blue-throated one"). It is for remembering Shiva’s divine Lila of drinking Halahala and saving the three realms, that the month of Sawan is dedicated to him.
Different regions and groups of people observe the Sawan month according to their traditional beliefs and customs. While external differences might be there, the foundation remains common which is to worship Lord Shiva with sincere devotion.
Any religious festival, sacrifice, or austerity is incomplete without following the ritualistic worship of some particular deity. Since Shravan or Sawan month is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Mahadev), the Shaivites or devotees of Lord Shiva engage in various devotional activities. Some of them follow the procedure of Sawan Puja very strictly. The general Puja Vidhi or procedure is as follows:
Take a bath early in the morning to cleanse the body.
Wear clean, modest clothes (preferably white or saffron).
Sprinkle a few drops of Ganga Jal (holy water) to purify the space where the Puja will take place.
✨Spiritual Tip: Purity of mind is just as important as outer cleanliness. Begin with a peaceful heart and prayerful attitude.
Choose a quiet corner or puja room in your home.
Set up a picture (swaroop) or idol (murti) of Lord Shiva or a Shiva Lingam.
Decorate the space with flowers, incense, and a diya (lamp).
🪔Optional: Include idols or images of Mother Parvati, Ganesha, or Nandi to complete the divine family.
Lord Shiva Family Tanjore Painting →
If you are initiated into an authentic Sampradaya (disciplic succession) and are performing the Puja by yourself, you must first offer your humble obeisance to your Guru Parampara by chanting the particular Mangala Charan. By doing so, you will invoke their mercy and be able to overcome any offenses that may be committed while performing the Puja.
Once it is done, you can now start offering ghee lamps or incense, flowers, fruits, and sweets to the deity of Lord Shiva. If you truly want to please Lord Shiva, do not forget to offer Bael leaves to him. The Mantras that can be chanted while offering the paraphernalia are:
🕉️Om Namah Shivaya (ॐ नमः शिवाय) (The universal Shiva mantra—meaning "I bow to Lord Shiva.")
🕉️Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam, Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat॥
(ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्, उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥). (Mahamrityunjaya Mantra – for healing, protection, and liberation.)
🙏 Repeat the mantras 108 times using a Rudraksha mala, if available.
While chanting, offer the following items to the deity or Lingam:
Bael leaves (Bel Patra) – must be in odd numbers (3 or 5)
Milk, water, honey, curd, sugar, and ghee (Panchamrit or individually)
Fruits, sweets, and seasonal flowers
Dhoop (incense) and Diya (ghee lamp)
Each offering should be made with humility, devotion, and mindfulness.
The Abhishek is a highlight of Sawan Puja. Gently pour the following over the Shiva Lingam:
Water (to cool Shiva’s form)
Milk (for purity and prosperity)
Honey (to sweeten the heart)
Curd (for strength and nourishment)
Ghee (to invoke auspiciousness)
Chant "Om Namah Shivaya" or the Rudra Mantras continuously as you perform the Abhishekam.
Small Rose Quartz Shivalinga Statue →
After the Abhishekam, wipe the deity clean and decorate with fresh flowers. Then:
Light a ghee or oil lamp.
Perform the Shiv Aarti (e.g., “Om Jai Shiv Omkara”) in circular motion.
Sing bhajans or play devotional songs to uplift the mood.
🎵Music is a powerful way to connect emotionally with the divine.
Lastly, you can distribute whatever eatables (Prasad) that were offered to Lord Shiva among your family members and other devotees and also honor it yourself with the feeling of gratitude towards the lord.
During the month of Shravan, devotees of Lord Shiva generally observe fasts on Mondays for the pleasure of the lord. They abstain from certain foods during their fasting and engage themselves in the loving service of Lord Shiva.
Some devotees observe fasting for sixteen consecutive Mondays, which is known as “Solah Somvar Vrat”. Fasting on these Mondays is a sacred vow (Vrat) observed by countless devotees to seek: Divine protection, Marital harmony, Spiritual progress, Fulfillment of desires.
Devotees observe fasts according to their capacity and faith. Here are the 4 common types of Shravan Somvar fasting:
Observing the month of Sawan or Shravan is considered highly auspicious as it brings one closer to Lord Shiva. The devotees of Lord Shiva, during this month, visit Shiva temples and offer their humble obeisance and prayers to him. There are many benefits of chanting the names of Shiva or observing fast in Sawan.
🌀 It is believed that any spiritual activity performed in this month gives manyfold results and also purifies one’s gross body, subtle body (mind), and soul. If one offers even water and some bael leaves to Lord Shiva, he gets so much pleased that he fulfills their material desires such as wealth, prosperity, a loving partner, etc. Then what to speak of those who approach him with spiritual desires?
Small Brass Trishul (Inferior Quality)
🌀 For many people, Sawan simply means a change of diet. However, there is a deeper meaning and purpose behind observing the holy month of Sawan. The basic principle is to observe it with the right consciousness. Lord Shiva is pleased with your internal exclusivity more than the external exclusivity. All he needs is your firm faith and devotion toward him. If you remain devoted to him during this month, you will experience a great transformation in your heart and you will feel much closer to Lord Shiva.
Beyond the worship of Shiva, which is a central element in the months of Sawan, the time is also a special one across the states of India, where different local festivities are observed by tribes and communities. Let’s explore how diverse communities across India observe the sacred Shravan season:
States: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi
Pilgrims, and devotees of Shiva gather in huge numbers and go on a special kind of pilgrimage- collecting the sacred water of rivers like Ganga to offer it to Shiva. Their journey is mostly done on foot, and crowds of these pilgrims known as “Kanwariyas” can be seen all over northern India with their water vessels on their shoulders and the chants of “Om Namah Shivay” or “Bam Bam Bhole” rising in the air around them.
States: Rajasthan, Haryana, UP, Gujarat
● Variations of Teej such as Hariyali Teej and Kajri Teej, festivals of women, are also an important part of Sawan celebrations in India.
● Teej is essentially the worship of the connection between nature and women, especially during the monsoon rains, when the earth is fertile and auspicious abundance is all around.
● Women dress in green, apply mehndi (henna), swing on decorated swings, and pray for marital bliss and the well-being of their husbands.
● Devotion to Goddess Parvati (Shiva’s consort) is a central theme.
● Narali Purnima is observed in honor of Lord Varuna, the god of water and oceans.
● Celebrated by fishing communities, especially in Maharashtra and Goa.
● Devotees offer coconuts (nariyal) into the sea, praying to Lord Varuna for protection from sea storms and safe voyages.
● Accompanied by vibrant dances, feasts, and prayers on the beach.
Festival of Agriculture & Cattle Wealth● This day is a unique festival of Odisha when Balabhadra or Balarama Jayanti is celebrated.
● Gamha Purnima is a reverence for the agricultural land (through Balarama whose weapon is the Hala or plow) and cattle wealth.
● Farmers worship their cattle, plows, and farming tools as divine assets.
🐍 Worship of Serpent Deities
States: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, UP, and Bihar
● A festival dedicated to Naga Devtas (serpent gods), Naga Panchami is celebrated across India in one form or the other.
● People draw images of supernets on their doors and worship them with sweet offerings such as Kheer (milk and rice pudding).
Puja of Nagas is an ancient practice in Indian culture, which underlines the symbiotic connection between humans and nature, where animals too are remembered and revered for the role they play in the balance of nature.
With rain showers, the heat of summer decreases, and the surroundings become more pleasant and beautiful. To celebrate the fertility and abundance that nature carries during Sawan there are some folk practices, which are not directly connected to any religious festival, however, they are an important part of the traditions of Sawan.
Celebrations in family and localities during Sawan take the form of Katha or Paatha where stories of gods from the Purana are told and people as the audience become a part of it. Kirtan or singing of religious songs is also a popular part of Sawan, with women or people in general conducting Jaagarans and singing folk or religious songs, feasting, and worshiping their house deity.
The months of Sawan are an important time for women. According to beliefs, if a woman observes a fast every Monday (Somvar) of Sawan, she will be blessed by Shiva with a virtuous husband. Many also worship Parvati, the mother goddess to receive the boon of an ideal life partner.
In 2025, Sawan begins on Friday, July 25 and ends on Saturday, August 23. It is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and aligns with the monsoon season in India.
Sawan is revered as the most auspicious month to worship Lord Shiva, who drank the poison (Halahala) during the cosmic ocean churning (Samudra Manthan). Devotees observe fasts, perform Abhishekam, chant mantras, and offer bael leaves to seek his blessings.
Sawan usually falls between July and August, the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar. Popular festivals include Shravan Somvar Vrat, Raksha Bandhan, Hariyali Teej, Nag Panchami, and more.
According to Hindu tradition, Mondays are the day of Lord Shiva. During Sawan, each Monday becomes even more powerful spiritually. Devotees fast on these days to express devotion and seek fulfillment of desires—both material and spiritual.
Fasting purifies the body and mind. Devotees believe that even simple offerings like water and bael leaves during Sawan yield multifold blessings. Some follow the Solah Somvar Vrat (16 consecutive Mondays) to seek a life partner, health, or spiritual growth.
Devotees decorate their spaces with:
Fresh flowers and mango leaves
Rangoli designs at entrances
Clay or brass Shiva Lingams
Lamps (diyas) and incense sticks
Sacred water (Ganga Jal) for purification
Popular vratas and festivals during Shravan include:
Shravan Somvar Vrat (Shiva fasting Mondays)
Nag Panchami (Serpent worship)
Hariyali Teej & Kajari Teej (Monsoon and women’s festivals)
Raksha Bandhan (Sibling bond festival)
Narali Purnima & Gamha Purnima (coastal and agricultural celebrations)
The month of Sawan (Shravan) is not just a period in the calendar—it is a sacred window into the heart of Hindu spirituality. Through devotion, rituals, fasting, folk traditions, and community celebrations, millions align their lives with the rhythm of the divine.
Lord Shiva, the Ashutosh (easily pleased), awaits only your faith and sincerity. Whether you're offering water or silence, flowers or fasts—he listens, blesses, and transforms.
🌿May this Sawan bring purity to your thoughts, clarity to your intentions, and grace into your life. 🕉️ ओं नमः शिवाय ।
🌿May this Sawan bring purity to your thoughts, clarity to your intentions, and grace into your life.
🕉️ ओं नमः शिवाय ।
"Written by Tanvi Mehta on June 23, 2024. Revised in July 2024 by Prakriti Anand, who is currently pursuing her PhD in Ancient Indian History from the University of Delhi. Prakriti has experience working with organizations in the realms of heritage, art, and history and is committed to advancing contributions to the field of culture."
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