Sawan 2026: Dates, Sawan Somwar Vrat and Puja Vidhi
DevMarg Team20 July 20268 min read
Sawan 2026 begins on Thursday, 30 July and ends on Friday, 28 August in North India, as per the Purnimanta calendar. This year, the holy month of Shravan has four Sawan Somwar vrat days: 3 August, 10 August, 17 August and 24 August. In Maharashtra, Gujarat and South India, which follow the Amanta calendar, Shravan runs from 13 August to 10 September 2026.
The rains have arrived, temple bells are ringing louder, and devotees of Bholenath are preparing for the most awaited month of the year. In this guide, you will find the verified Sawan 2026 dates, the complete Somwar vrat list, the step-by-step puja vidhi, fasting rules and every important festival of the month, all in one place.
Key Highlights: Sawan 2026
Sawan 2026 start date (North India): Thursday, 30 July 2026
Sawan 2026 end date: Friday, 28 August 2026 (Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan)
Total Sawan Somwar vrats: 4 (3, 10, 17 and 24 August)
Sawan Shivratri: Tuesday night, 11 August 2026
Shravan in Maharashtra, Gujarat and South India: 13 August to 10 September 2026
Sawan, also called Shravan, is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar and the most sacred period for the worship of Lord Shiva. It falls in the heart of the monsoon, when devotees keep Monday fasts, pour jal on the Shivling and walk in the Kanwar Yatra.
The sanctity of Sawan comes from the story of Samudra Manthan, the churning of the cosmic ocean described in the Puranas. When the deadly Halahala poison emerged and threatened all creation, Lord Shiva drank it and held it in his throat, which turned blue. This is why he is called Neelkanth.
To cool the burning effect of the poison, the Devas poured sacred water over him. This act is the origin of the jalabhishek tradition, where devotees pour water, milk and Gangajal on the Shivling throughout Sawan. The monsoon rains of this month are seen as nature performing its own abhishek of the earth.
It is also believed that Goddess Parvati observed intense penance during Shravan to attain Lord Shiva as her husband.
Sawan 2026 Start and End Dates
Sawan 2026 starts on Thursday, 30 July 2026 and ends on Friday, 28 August 2026 in North India. The month lasts 30 days and closes on Shravan Purnima, the day Raksha Bandhan is celebrated.
Sawan Kab Se Hai: 29 or 30 July?
Many devotees are asking whether Sawan begins on 29 or 30 July this year. The confusion comes from the tithi timing. Shravan Krishna Pratipada begins at 8:05 PM on 29 July and continues until 9:30 PM on 30 July. In the Hindu calendar, a month is counted from the tithi present at sunrise. Since Pratipada is active at sunrise on 30 July, Sawan officially begins on that day.
The Purnima tithi at the end of the month runs from 9:08 AM on 27 August to 9:48 AM on 28 August. As the Purnima is present at sunrise on 28 August, Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan both fall on Friday, 28 August 2026.
Why Sawan Dates Differ in North and South India
North Indian states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh follow the Purnimanta system, where a month ends on Purnima. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana follow the Amanta system, where a month ends on Amavasya.
This is why Shravan in the Amanta tradition begins about 15 days later, running from 13 August to 10 September 2026. The festivals themselves, such as Nag Panchami and Raksha Bandhan, are celebrated on the same days across the country. Only the name of the month window changes.
Sawan Somwar Vrat 2026: Complete List
There are four Sawan Somwar vrats in 2026. Every Monday of Shravan is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and fasting on these days is believed to bring peace, good health and the fulfilment of sincere wishes.
Vrat
Date
Day
First Sawan Somwar
3 August 2026
Monday
Second Sawan Somwar
10 August 2026
Monday
Third Sawan Somwar
17 August 2026 (also Nag Panchami)
Monday
Fourth Sawan Somwar
24 August 2026
Monday
The third Somwar on 17 August is especially significant this year because Nag Panchami falls on the same day. Devotees can worship Lord Shiva and Nag Devta together on this Monday.
Mangala Gauri Vrat Tuesdays
Every Tuesday of Sawan is observed as Mangala Gauri Vrat, dedicated to Goddess Parvati. In 2026, these fall on 4, 11, 18 and 25 August. Newly married women traditionally keep this fast for a happy married life.
Sawan Somwar Vrat Puja Vidhi: Step by Step
The Sawan Somwar puja is simple and can be performed at home or at a Shiva temple. Follow these steps on each Monday of the month:
Wake up early, bathe and wear clean clothes. Take a sankalp (vow) to observe the vrat with devotion.
Clean the puja space and place the Shivling or a picture of Lord Shiva facing you.
Perform jalabhishek by pouring water or Gangajal slowly on the Shivling while chanting Om Namah Shivaya.
Offer milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar one by one, followed by a final abhishek with clean water.
Offer bel patra (three leaves together), white flowers, dhatura, bhang, chandan and akshat.
Light a diya and incense, then chant the Shiva mantras or read the Sawan Somwar vrat katha.
Perform aarti of Lord Shiva and distribute prasad to family members.
Keep a phalahar fast through the day and break it after evening puja, as per family tradition.
For mantras, you can chant Om Namah Shivaya 108 times, or recite the Shiv Chalisa during the evening puja. The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is also considered highly beneficial in this month.
What to Eat During the Vrat
Most devotees observe a phalahar fast on Sawan Somwar. This means eating only fruits, milk and vrat-friendly foods after the morning puja. Common choices include fruits, milk, curd, sabudana khichdi, kuttu or singhara flour dishes, makhana, dry fruits and rock salt (sendha namak) preparations.
Devotees avoid grains, regular salt, onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food. Many families also give up these foods for the entire month of Sawan, not just on Mondays. Fasting rules vary by region and family tradition. Elders, pregnant women and those with health conditions should keep a lighter fast and consult a doctor if needed. Devotion matters more than strictness.
Best Days of Sawan 2026: Festival Calendar
Every day of Sawan is considered holy, but some days carry special significance. Here is the complete verified festival calendar for the month:
Festival
Date 2026
Day
Sawan begins (North India)
30 July
Thursday
First Sawan Somwar
3 August
Monday
Kamika Ekadashi
9 August
Sunday
Sawan Shivratri
11 August (night)
Tuesday
Hariyali Amavasya
12 August
Wednesday
Hariyali Teej
15 August
Saturday
Nag Panchami
17 August
Monday
Shravan Putrada Ekadashi
23 August
Sunday
Raksha Bandhan / Shravan Purnima
28 August
Friday
Sawan Shivratri on 11 August is the monthly Shivratri of Shravan and is considered nearly as powerful as Maha Shivratri. The main Nishita Kaal puja is performed around midnight, from 12:05 AM to 12:48 AM on the night of 11 August.
Kanwar Yatra and Temple Darshan in Sawan
The Kanwar Yatra begins with the start of Sawan on 30 July 2026. Lakhs of devotees, called Kanwariyas, walk to Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri to collect Ganga jal and carry it back to offer at Shiva temples in their hometowns. The yatra continues through the month and peaks around Sawan Shivratri.
Sawan is also the best time for darshan at the great Shiva temples of India. Devotees throng Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi and Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, where the famous Bhasma Aarti draws huge crowds every Sawan Somwar. If you are planning a bigger pilgrimage, see our complete guide to the 12 Jyotirlingas.
Temple queues on Sawan Mondays are long, so plan an early morning darshan. Carry only essentials, follow the temple dress code and check local advisories before travelling during the Kanwar Yatra period.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Sawan start in 2026? Sawan 2026 starts on Thursday, 30 July in North India as per the Purnimanta calendar. In Maharashtra, Gujarat and South India, Shravan begins on 13 August 2026.
How many Sawan Somwar are there in 2026? There are four Sawan Somwar vrats in 2026: 3 August, 10 August, 17 August and 24 August.
Why is Sawan starting on 30 July and not 29 July? The Pratipada tithi begins on the evening of 29 July, but the Hindu month is counted from the tithi present at sunrise. Since Pratipada is active at sunrise on 30 July, Sawan begins on that day.
When is Sawan Shivratri in 2026? Sawan Shivratri falls on Tuesday, 11 August 2026. The Nishita Kaal puja is performed around midnight, from 12:05 AM to 12:48 AM.
Can unmarried people keep the Sawan Somwar vrat? Yes. Unmarried devotees, both men and women, can observe the fast. Tradition holds that Goddess Parvati herself fasted in Shravan to attain Lord Shiva, so the vrat is considered especially auspicious for those seeking a good life partner.
When is Raksha Bandhan in 2026? Raksha Bandhan is on Friday, 28 August 2026, the day of Shravan Purnima, which also marks the end of Sawan in North India.
Conclusion
Sawan 2026 offers a full month of devotion from 30 July to 28 August, with four Somwar vrats and a chain of festivals from Sawan Shivratri to Raksha Bandhan. Whether you keep the Monday fast at home, visit a Shiva temple or walk the Kanwar Yatra, what matters most is a sincere heart and steady devotion. For more festival dates and guides, explore the full DevMarg festivals hub.
Raksha Bandhan 2026: Shubh Muhurat, Rakhi Tying Time & Bhadra Kaal Timing
Raksha Bandhan 2026 falls on Friday, 28 August. Here are the exact Purnima tithi timings, the 5:57 AM to 9:48 AM rakhi tying shubh muhurat, why Bhadra Kaal does not clash this year, the alternate Aparahna window, the step-by-step rakhi vidhi and Gulf NRI timings.
