With the month of Ashadha drawing to a close, searches for Sawan, the most awaited month for Shiv devotees, have already begun. Devotees observe fasts through this month and worship Lord Shiva, and even those who cannot fast for the entire month make sure to observe fasts on Sawan Mondays and on Shivratri. According to belief, anyone who worships Lord Shiva with a sincere heart during this period sees all their wishes fulfilled. Here is when Sawan 2026 begins and ends, and the exact date of Sawan Shivratri.
When Sawan 2026 Begins And Ends
Sawan 2026 starts on July 30 and will run until August 28, 2026. Sawan is counted as the fifth month of the Hindu calendar and begins with the Pratipada date of Sawan Krishna Paksha. In Nepal, Uttarakhand and parts of Himachal Pradesh, however, this holy month is instead reckoned from Karka Sankranti, so the start date can differ from the rest of the country.
Sawan Shivratri 2026: Date And Puja Muhurat
Shivratri during the Sawan month falls on August 11, 2026. The auspicious puja muhurat that night runs from 12:05 am to 12:48 am. Devotees observing the Shivratri fast can break it, or perform parayan, only after 5:49 am on August 12. Worship during the four night prahars of Shivratri is considered especially significant.
Puja Timings For The Four Night Prahars
- First night prahar: 07:04 pm to 09:45 pm
- Second night prahar: 09:45 pm to 12:26 am (August 12)
- Third night prahar: 12:26 am to 03:07 am (August 12)
- Fourth night prahar: 03:07 am to 05:49 am (August 12)
All Four Sawan Monday (Somwar) Dates In 2026
Four Sawan Mondays fall in the month this year, and large numbers of devotees keep a fast on each of these days.
- First Sawan Somwar vrat: August 3, 2026
- Second Sawan Somwar vrat: August 10, 2026
- Third Sawan Somwar vrat: August 17, 2026
- Fourth Sawan Somwar vrat: August 24, 2026
Major Festivals Falling In The Shravan Month
Sawan is not just about Monday fasts and Shivratri. The month also brings several other major festivals, including Mangala Gauri Vrat, Kamika Ekadashi, Hariyali Amavasya, Shravani Teej, Nag Panchami, Raksha Bandhan and Shravan Putrada Ekadashi. That is what makes the entire month of Sawan one long stretch of fasting, worship and celebration for devotees, with preparations in many households starting well before the month even begins.
