Which months does Sawan fall in?

Sawan, or Shravan, is the fifth Hindu lunar month and usually falls across July and August in the Gregorian calendar. Exact start and end dates change each year, so confirm them with a current Panchang.

Why is Sawan dedicated to Lord Shiva?

It is believed Shiva drank the halahal poison during the Samudra Manthan in this period and was cooled with water offerings, and that Parvati did penance in Sawan to win him. So water offerings and worship in this month are especially dear to Shiva.

What should be offered on the Shivling in Sawan?

Offer clean water or Ganga jal, bilva (bel) leaves, white flowers, milk, honey, dhatura and sandalwood. Never offer tulsi, ketaki flowers or turmeric, as these are not used in Shiva's worship.

What is the Sawan Somwar vrat?

It is the fast kept on the Mondays of Shravan for Lord Shiva. Devotees worship the Shivling, chant Shiva mantras and eat simple satvik food once after evening worship, praying for health, marriage and peace.

Which mantras are best chanted in Sawan?

'Om Namah Shivaya' and the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra are the most powerful. Chanting either 108 times on a rudraksha mala, especially on Mondays, is believed to greatly increase the merit of one's devotion.

What is the Kanwar Yatra in Sawan?

The Kanwar Yatra is a pilgrimage in which devotees, called Kanwariyas, carry holy river water on foot to offer as jalabhishek on a Shivling, often at famous temples, as an act of deep devotion during Sawan.

Sawan (Shravan) Month | Significance, Puja & Rules

What Is Sawan (Shravan) Month

Sawan, also called Shravan, is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and usually falls across July and August in the Gregorian year. It is the most sacred month for Lord Shiva, when the rains bring new life and devotees offer water and bilva leaves to the Shivling. The entire month is treated as a long festival of devotion, fasting and self-discipline dedicated to Mahadev.

Why Sawan Is Dear to Shiva

Tradition holds that during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), Lord Shiva drank the deadly halahal poison to save creation, and the devas poured water on him to cool his burning throat - which is why water offerings in Sawan are so beloved to him. It is also believed that Goddess Parvati observed severe penance in this month to win Shiva as her husband. For these reasons Sawan is considered the ideal time to seek Shiva's blessings for health, marriage and inner peace.

Key Vrats and Festivals in Sawan

Sawan is rich with sacred days: 1. Sawan Somwar - the Mondays of Shravan, kept as fasts for Lord Shiva. 2. Mangala Gauri Vrat - Tuesdays observed by married women for marital happiness. 3. Hariyali Teej - celebrated by women for the well-being of their husbands. 4. Nag Panchami - worship of serpent deities. 5. Shravan Shivratri and the Kanwar Yatra, when devotees carry holy water for jalabhishek. Please confirm exact dates with a current Panchang, as they shift each year with the lunar calendar.

Sawan Somwar Puja and Jalabhishek

On Sawan Mondays, devotees rise early, bathe and worship the Shivling with simple, pure offerings: 1. Perform jalabhishek with clean water, ideally Ganga jal, poured gently on the Shivling. 2. Offer bilva (bel) leaves, dhatura, white flowers, milk, honey and bhang if available. 3. Apply chandan (sandalwood) and light a ghee or sesame oil lamp. 4. Chant the Shiva mantra and read the Shiv Chalisa, then perform the aarti. 5. Keep a fast through the day, breaking it after evening worship with simple satvik food.

Mantras to Chant in Sawan

The two most powerful chants for Sawan are:

Om Namah Shivaya - the great five-syllable mantra of surrender to Shiva.

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra - 'Om Tryambakam Yajamahe...' - chanted for health, healing and protection from untimely fear.

Reciting either 108 times on a rudraksha mala during Sawan, especially on Mondays, is believed to multiply the merit of one's devotion.

Niyam - Do's and Things to Avoid

Do: wake early, stay clean, eat satvik food, offer water daily to the Shivling, speak truthfully and give in charity. Many devotees wear rudraksha and prefer green or white clothes.

Avoid: non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic, alcohol, tamasic habits and anger. Some traditions also avoid certain vegetables and milk consumption while offering it to Shiva. Never offer tulsi, ketaki flowers or turmeric on the Shivling, as these are not used in his worship.

Benefits of Sawan Worship

Sincere worship through Sawan is believed to grant good health, peace of mind and freedom from fear, and to bless unmarried devotees with a suitable life partner. Married couples pray for harmony and long life, while the discipline of fasting and satvik living cleanses body and mind, deepening one's bond with Lord Shiva.

Sawan (Shravan) Month - Significance, Puja & Rules