Sawan 2016 Start & End Date (Shravan Maas)
North India (Purnimanta): Wednesday, 20 July 2016 – Thursday, 18 August 2016
Amanta regions: Wednesday, 3 August 2016 – Thursday, 1 September 2016
The holiest month for Shiva — the month of the Sawan Somwar vrat, kanwar yatra and Rudrabhishek.
Sawan (Shravan Maas) 2016 Dates
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 2016
Sawan Somwar Vrat
Festivals in Sawan 2016
Monthly vrats 2016
Sawan 2016 — Frequently Asked Questions
When does Shravan Maas 2016 start?
In North India (Purnimanta calendar) Sawan runs from Wednesday, 20 July 2016 to Thursday, 18 August 2016. In Amanta-calendar regions it runs Wednesday, 3 August 2016 to Thursday, 1 September 2016.
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 2016 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.
When is Sawan Shivratri 2016?
Sawan Shivratri 2016 — the Masik Shivaratri of Shravan Maas, observed on the Krishna Chaturdashi — falls on Monday, 1 August 2016. Night worship and jalabhishek of the Shiva lingam are traditional on this day.
Is Sawan 2016 an Adhik Maas?
No. Sawan 2016 is a normal 30-day month.