First Sawan Somwar will be observed on Monday, August 3, 2026, in North India. In Maharashtra, Gujarat, and South India, Shravan Month 2026 begins on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and ends on Friday, September 11, 2026. This sacred Monday marks the beginning of the Shravan Somwar vrat.
North India (Purnimant Calendar)
Maharashtra, Gujarat & South India (Amanta Calendar)
If you have noticed people celebrating the first Sawan Somwar on different dates, there's a simple reason: not every region follows the same lunar calendar. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, among other North Indian states go by the Purnimant calendar, where the lunar month ends on the Full Moon (Purnima). As per this calendar, Shravan 2026 begins on Thursday, July 30, 2026, and concludes on Friday, August 28, 2026, which places the first Sawan Somwar on Monday, August 3, 2026.
Meanwhile, states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and various other southern regions follow the Amanta calendar. As per this calendar, the lunar month ends on Amavasya (New Moon) and therefore Shravan Month 2026 begins on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and ends on Friday, September 11, 2026.
Not sure which calendar applies to your family? Your local panchang or family pandit can confirm this for you.
Beginnings hold a special place in Hindu tradition, whether it's a sacred month, a festival, or a vrat, and the first Sawan Somwar is no exception. It marks the start of the Shravan Somwar observance itself, which is what makes this sacred day special. Many devotees choose the first Monday of Shravan as the ideal day to begin their worship of Bhagwan Shiv and, if they wish, their Shravan Somwar vrat.
If you cannot visit a temple, you can perform the puja at home with a pure heart by following the steps mentioned below. Bhagwan Shiv, also known as “Bholenath,” values sincere devotion more than elaborate rituals.
Follow these steps:
Devotees should avoid:
Many people keep a strict fast, whereas some devotees consume only fruits, coconut water, milk, and simple sattvic food as part of the falahar vrat after completing the evening puja.
Note: Observe the fast according to your health.
North India will observe it on Monday, 3 August 2026. If your family follows the Amanta calendar, as is common in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and South India, the date shifts to Monday, 17 August 2026.
Early morning is considered the most auspicious time to perform Bhagwan Shiva puja and Jalabhishek, though plenty of devotees also do Abhishek later in the day, during Pradosh Kaal in the evening. Since the exact timings vary by location, it is best to refer to your local Panchang for the correct puja muhurat.
White tends to be the go-to choice, tied to ideas of purity and calm, though yellow works too since it's considered auspicious in its own right. At the end of the day, clean clothes and a sincere heart matter far more than the exact shade you pick.
There's no restriction here, anyone with faith can keep this vrat.