Every year, as the monsoon begins and the air of India fills with the sound of falling rain, Shravan arrives. For the devout, this is not merely a change of season — it is the arrival of Lord Shiva’s own month.
In 2026, Shravan runs from approximately July 10 to August 8 (North India, Purnimant calendar).
Why Shravan is Shiva’s Month
During the Samudra Manthan, the poison Halahala emerged from the cosmic ocean. Lord Shiva drank it to save creation, holding it in his throat (becoming Neelkantha — the blue-throated one). The gods poured cool water, milk, and sacred substances over him to ease his suffering. This act of devotion took place in Shravan.
Every abhishek performed in Shravan re-enacts this original act of gratitude. Every drop of Gangajal poured over a Shivalinga in this month is an echo of that first offering.
Shravan 2026: Key Dates
Shravan begins: July 10, 2026
Shravan ends: August 8, 2026
Shravan Somvars in 2026:
- July 13 — First Somvar: new beginnings, removal of obstacles
- July 20 — Second Somvar: health, peace, family harmony
- July 27 — Third Somvar: prosperity, career, relationships
- August 3 — Fourth Somvar: Navagraha shanti, deep spiritual practice
Sawan Shivratri: July 29, 2026 — extremely powerful
Nag Panchami: July 26, 2026
Shravan Purnima / Raksha Bandhan: August 9, 2026
Daily Shravan Shiv Puja (20 minutes)
- Shuddhi: Bathe, wear clean clothes, sprinkle Gangajal on puja space
- Abhishek: Pour Gangajal over the Shivalinga chanting Om Namah Shivaya
- Bilva patra: Place 1–5 fresh bilva leaves on the Shivalinga
- Dhoop and Deep: Light incense and ghee lamp
- Mantra: Chant Om Namah Shivaya 108 times
- Aarti: Simple Shiva Aarti with the lamp
Shravan Somvar Practice (60–90 minutes)
On each Monday, expand to full Rudrabhishek: Sankalp → Panchamrit abhishek → Gangajal abhishek → Bilva patra in abundance → Dhatura flowers → Shodashopachara → Mahamrityunjaya mantra 108 times → Shiva Aarti → Prasad distribution.
See: Shravan Somvar Puja Vidhi: Step-by-Step
Special Offerings in Shravan
- Bilva patra — Offer in large quantities daily; fresh, unbroken, pesticide-free
- Dhatura flowers — Sacred to Shiva; offer on Somvar
- Madar flowers (Aak) — Especially favoured in Shravan
- Raw milk — The cooling mythology is resonant in Shravan
- Bel fruit (wood apple) — Offering a whole bel fruit on Shravan Somvar is very auspicious
- Gangajal — Kashi Gangajal is the most sacred abhishek substance
For NRIs Observing Shravan Abroad
Order samagri from Kashi by late June 2026 to ensure delivery before the first Shravan Somvar. Our Shivratri Puja Kit from Kashi contains the complete samagri, sourced and assembled during the peak sacred period in Varanasi.
Har Har Mahadev. Om Namah Shivaya.
See also:
• Shravan Somvar Puja Vidhi
• Shravan Somvar Fast: Rules & What to Eat
• Best Muhurat for Rudrabhishek in 2026