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Shravan Maas · Lord Shiva

Sawan (Shravan Maas) 2008

The holiest month for Shiva — the month of the Sawan Somwar vrat, kanwar yatra and Rudrabhishek.

See Sawan 2026 — this year

Sawan 2007Sawan 2009

Sawan (Shravan Maas) 2008 Dates

North India · Purnimanta
Saturday, 19 July 2008
to Saturday, 16 August 2008 · 29 days
Month ending on the Purnima
Amanta regions
Saturday, 2 August 2008
to Saturday, 30 August 2008 · 29 days
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Why the dates differ. In the Purnimanta calendar a month ends on the full moon; in Amanta it ends on the new moon. So Sawan begins about 15 days earlier in North India than in Amanta regions — even though the festivals fall on the same day in both, because they are fixed by tithi.

The significance of Sawan — Lord Shiva

Shravan is the month of Shiva. It falls at the height of the monsoon, when the earth is green and the samudra manthan is remembered — Shiva drank the halahala poison in this season to save creation, and the month's water-offerings cool that burning throat. Every Monday is kept as a Sawan Somwar fast, and pilgrims carry Ganga water on foot (the kanwar yatra) to pour over the lingam.

Rituals of Sawan

  • Sawan Somwar vrat every Monday
  • Rudrabhishek and jalabhishek of the Shiva lingam
  • The kanwar yatra — carrying Ganga water on foot
  • Offering bel-patra, dhatura and white flowers
  • Reciting the Shiva Chalisa and Mahamrityunjaya mantra
  • Mangala Gauri vrat on Tuesdays for married women

Key days in Sawan 2008

PurnimaSat, 16 AugAmavasyaFri, 1 AugEkadashi 1Tue, 12 AugMasa ShivratriThu, 31 Jul

Sawan Somwar Vrat

#1 · Mon, 21 Jul#2 · Mon, 28 Jul#3 · Mon, 4 Aug#4 · Mon, 11 Aug

Festivals in Sawan 2008

Monthly vrats 2008

Sawan 2008 — Frequently Asked Questions

When does Shravan Maas 2008 start?

In North India (Purnimanta calendar) Sawan runs from Saturday, 19 July 2008 to Saturday, 16 August 2008. In Amanta-calendar regions it runs Saturday, 2 August 2008 to Saturday, 30 August 2008.

Why do Sawan dates differ in North and South India?

Because the two regions follow different lunar calendars. In the Purnimanta calendar (North India) a month ends on the Purnima, so it starts about 15 days earlier than in Amanta. In the Amanta calendar (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) the month runs new-moon to new-moon.

Which deity is Sawan 2008 dedicated to?

Shravan is the month of Shiva. It falls at the height of the monsoon, when the earth is green and the samudra manthan is remembered — Shiva drank the halahala poison in this season to save creation, and the month's water-offerings cool that burning throat. Every Monday is kept as a Sawan Somwar fast, and pilgrims carry Ganga water on foot (the kanwar yatra) to pour over the lingam.

Is Sawan 2008 an Adhik Maas?

No. Sawan 2008 is a normal 29-day month.

Other Hindu months