Sawan 2026 Begins This Thursday: Here's How Many Mondays of Vrat Fall This Year Sawan begins on Thursday, July 30 this year, and the confusion over whether it brings 4 or 5 Mondays of vrat has finally been settled, along with every Somwar and Mangala Gauri vrat date to mark. The most awaited month for Lord Shiva's devotees, Sawan, begins this year on Thursday, July 30, and will end on Friday, August 28, the day of Sawan Purnima. Devotees consider this entire month extremely auspicious, believing that worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati with full devotion through these weeks fulfils their wishes and brings peace, happiness and prosperity into their lives. This year, however, many devotees have been asking the same question: will Sawan bring 4 Mondays of vrat or 5? Here is the complete answer, along with every date worth marking on the calendar. Sorting out the confusion over Sawan Monday fasts In some years Sawan has stretched across 4 Mondays, and in others 5, which is exactly why the question comes up every time the month approaches. For 2026, though, there is no ambiguity: the month will have exactly 4 Mondays of vrat. Sawan Somwar vrat is considered one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to seek Lord Shiva's blessings. According to religious belief, devotees who fast every Monday and perform abhishek on the Shivling with water, milk, curd, honey and Gangajal, while also offering bel patra, dhatura, bhang, aak and white flowers, quickly earn Bholenath's favour. It is also believed that this vrat weakens the unfavourable effects of planetary doshas in one's kundli and helps bring good fortune. Sawan Monday vrat dates to note down • First Sawan Monday: August 3, 2026 • Second Sawan Monday: August 10, 2026 • Third Sawan Monday: August 17, 2026 • Fourth Sawan Monday: August 24, 2026 Why the tradition of jalabhishek goes back to Samudra Manthan The custom of offering water on the Shivling through Sawan is directly tied to a mythological episode. According to the legend, when the deadly Kalkoot poison emerged during the Samudra Manthan, Lord Shiva drank it himself to protect all of creation. The poison turned his throat blue, which is why he is also known as Neelkanth. To calm the burning effect of the poison, all the gods and goddesses poured water over him, and that is said to be the origin of the jalabhishek and Rudrabhishek traditions observed through Sawan. Chanting the Om Namah Shivaya mantra, reciting the Shiv Chalisa and reading the Rudrashtak through this month are all considered especially fruitful. A worthy life partner for the unmarried, a happy married life for others The Sawan Somwar vrat is not observed only by married devotees, unmarried men and women are said to benefit from it just as much. Belief holds that unmarried devotees who observe this vrat with full devotion and worship Lord Shiva are blessed with a suitable and desired life partner. Married women, meanwhile, keep this fast praying for their husband's long life, a happy married life and the overall wellbeing of their family. Many devotees also use this vrat to pray for good health, financial progress and freedom from various hardships in life. Tuesdays matter too, and the month is packed with festivals Sawan is not just about fasting, it is also a month full of family celebrations. Alongside Mondays, Tuesdays hold their own significance through the month. Married women observe the Mangala Gauri vrat on every Tuesday of Sawan, praying for a long and happy married life. The same month brings Hariyali Teej on August 15, while Raksha Bandhan falls on the very last day of the month, August 28. Sawan Mangala Gauri vrat dates • First Mangala Gauri vrat: August 4, 2026 • Second Mangala Gauri vrat: August 11, 2026 • Third Mangala Gauri vrat: August 18, 2026 • Fourth Mangala Gauri vrat: August 25, 2026 What this means for you This calendar matters directly to Lord Shiva's devotees across the country. • Knowing the exact vrat and puja dates in advance lets devotees prepare and plan their fasting well ahead of time. • Temples are likely to see heavier crowds on Mondays and Tuesdays, so leaving early for darshan on these days will help. • With Hariyali Teej and Raksha Bandhan dates known in advance, families can plan their celebrations without last minute confusion. Questions & Answers 1. When does Sawan 2026 start and end? Sawan begins on Thursday, July 30, and ends on Friday, August 28, the day of Sawan Purnima. 2. Will Sawan 2026 have 4 Mondays of vrat or 5? This year Sawan will have exactly 4 Mondays of vrat, so there should be no confusion over the count. 3. What are all the Sawan Monday vrat dates? The four Sawan Mondays fall on August 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2026. 4. Why is the tradition of jalabhishek and Rudrabhishek observed in Sawan? It traces back to the legend of Lord Shiva drinking the deadly Kalkoot poison during the Samudra Manthan, after which the gods poured water on him to ease his suffering. 5. When will the Mangala Gauri vrat be observed? The Mangala Gauri vrat falls on all four Tuesdays of Sawan, August 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2026. 6. What other major festivals fall during Sawan this year? Hariyali Teej falls on August 15, and Raksha Bandhan falls on August 28, the last day of the month. 7. What benefits are devotees said to get from the Sawan Somwar vrat? It is believed to reduce unfavourable planetary effects in one's kundli, help unmarried devotees find a suitable life partner, and bring married women blessings of their husband's long life and a happy married life. https://trendkia.com/en/spirituality/guruvara-se-shuru-hoga-bholenatha-ka-priya-mahina-janie-isa-bara-savana-men-kitane-somavara-parenge-6817 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.