Sawan 2025: Lord Shiva's Favorite Month Sawan Starts Today
Today marks the beginning of Sawan 2025, one of the most spiritual and sacred months in the Hindu calendar. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Sawan (also called Shravan) holds great importance among devotees, especially in northern India, where fasting, temple visits, and religious rituals are common throughout the month.
Ankush Pandey
What Is Sawan?
Sawan is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar. It is closely associated with the monsoon season and devotion to Lord Shiva, the destroyer and transformer among the Trinity of Hindu gods (Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh).
The month of Sawan is believed to be highly auspicious for performing spiritual practices and gaining blessings from Lord Shiva. Devotees observe fasts on Mondays, called Sawan Somwar, and offer milk, water, belpatra (bilva leaves), and flowers to the Shiva Linga.
When Does Sawan 2025 Begin and End?
- Start Date: Friday, July 11, 2025
- End Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025
During this time, many temples see an increase in visitors, especially Jyotirlingas such as Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi), Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain), Baidyanath Dham (Jharkhand), and Kedarnath (Uttarakhand).
Why Is Sawan Special for Lord Shiva?
There are several legends connected with Sawan and Lord Shiva:
1. Samudra Manthan: According to Hindu mythology, during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), Lord Shiva drank the deadly poison (halahala) to save the world. This happened in the month of Shravan.
2. Power of Devotion: It is believed that prayers and fasts done in Sawan reach Lord Shiva faster than any other time of the year.
3. Marriage of Shiva-Parvati: In many parts of India, it is believed that during Sawan, Goddess Parvati performed strict penance to win Lord Shiva's heart, and they got married this month.
Rituals and Traditions Observed During Sawan
1. Sawan Somwar Fasting:
Devotees fast every Monday. They visit Shiva temples early morning, chant ‘Om Namah Shivaya’, and perform abhishek (ritual bath) of Shiva Linga.
2. Kawad Yatra:
Thousands of Kanwariyas (devotees) walk barefoot carrying holy water from the Ganga River to offer it at nearby Shiva temples.
3. Avoiding Certain Foods:
Many people avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, onions, and garlic during this period.
4. Offering Bel Patra:
Offering three-leafed bel patra is believed to please Lord Shiva, as it symbolizes the Tridev – Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh.
List of Sawan Somwars in 2025
- First Somwar: July 14, 2025
- Second Somwar: July 21, 2025
- Third Somwar: July 28, 2025
- Fourth Somwar: August 4, 2025
These Mondays are the most important days of the month and are marked by special prayers, bhajans, and Shiva temples being heavily crowded.
Tips for Devotees Observing Sawan Fast
- Wake up early and take a bath before sunrise.
- Wear clean clothes, preferably white.
- Visit a Shiva temple or worship at home with a diya and incense sticks.
- Chant Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra or Shiva Chalisa.
- Avoid salt, grains, and processed food during fasting hours.
Spiritual Benefits of Sawan
- Removes negative energy and cleanses the mind.
- Brings peace, health, and prosperity.
- Unmarried girls fast for a good life partner, just like Goddess Parvati.
- Helps develop discipline and inner strength.
Final Thoughts
Sawan is not just a religious month, but also a time for inner reflection and spiritual growth. With rains bringing freshness to the Earth, it is also believed that nature supports spiritual energy more strongly during this period.
So, whether you're fasting, praying, or simply seeking peace, Sawan 2025 is a great time to connect with Lord Shiva and bring positivity into your life.
