Sign InJoin as AstrologerConsult an Astrologer
Shravan Maas · Lord Shiva

Sawan (Shravan Maas) 2018

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

See Sawan 2026 — this year

Sawan 2017Sawan 2019

Sawan (Shravan Maas) 2018 Dates

North India · Purnimanta
Saturday, 28 July 2018
to Sunday, 26 August 2018 · 30 days
Month ending on the Purnima
Amanta regions
Sunday, 12 August 2018
to Sunday, 9 September 2018 · 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 2018

PurnimaSun, 26 AugAmavasyaSat, 11 AugEkadashi 1Tue, 21 AugEkadashi 2Wed, 22 AugMasa ShivratriFri, 10 Aug

Sawan Somwar Vrat

#1 · Mon, 30 Jul#2 · Mon, 6 Aug#3 · Mon, 13 Aug#4 · Mon, 20 Aug

Festivals in Sawan 2018

Monthly vrats 2018

Sawan 2018 — Frequently Asked Questions

When does Shravan Maas 2018 start?

In North India (Purnimanta calendar) Sawan runs from Saturday, 28 July 2018 to Sunday, 26 August 2018. In Amanta-calendar regions it runs Sunday, 12 August 2018 to Sunday, 9 September 2018.

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 2018 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 2018 an Adhik Maas?

No. Sawan 2018 is a normal 30-day month.

Other Hindu months