Shravan Month — What to Do Every Monday

Shravan (also called Sawan) — the fifth month of the Hindu calendar (July/August) — is the holiest month for Lord Shiva devotees. Every Monday in Shravan is treated as a mini Maha Shivaratri, and the entire month carries an amplified spiritual charge for worship, fasting, and mantra practice.

Why Is Shravan Sacred?

Mythological Significance

During the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), deadly poison (Halahala) emerged that threatened to destroy creation. Lord Shiva drank the poison to save the world, and the gods poured water on him to ease the burning. Shravan, falling during the monsoon season, symbolizes this cooling — the rains are nature pouring water on Shiva.

Astrological Significance

The Sun enters the sign of Cancer (Karka rashi) during Shravan — a period considered ideal for spiritual practice
The full moon (Purnima) in Shravan falls in the Shravana nakshatra — giving the month its name
The monsoon creates a naturally sattvic (pure) environment — cool, green, introspective

Shravan Somvar Vrat (Monday Fasting)

Who Should Observe

Shiva devotees seeking blessings
Unmarried women seeking a good spouse (traditional belief)
Anyone seeking health, peace, and spiritual growth
Those going through Shani or Rahu dasha can benefit

Fasting Rules

Strict Fast:

No food from sunrise to sunset
Only water (some traditions allow milk)
Break fast in the evening after Shiva puja

Standard Fast:

One meal of fruits, milk, and Shiva-prasad
No grains, no onion/garlic
Rock salt only
Break fast after evening puja

Foods Allowed:

Fruits (all varieties)
Milk, curd, kheer
Sabudana khichdi
Makhana (fox nuts)
Dry fruits
Sweet potato
Bel patra (wood apple leaves — also offered to Shiva)

Foods Prohibited:

All grains (wheat, rice, dal)
Onion and garlic
Non-vegetarian food
Alcohol and intoxicants
Brinjal (eggplant) — traditionally avoided in Shravan

Monday Shiva Puja — Step by Step

Morning Routine

Wake before sunrise, bathe with cold water if possible
Wear clean clothes — white or light colors preferred
Visit a Shiva temple or set up your home puja

Puja Vidhi

1. Abhishek (Bathing the Shivling) The central act of Shravan worship. Pour these over the Shivling while chanting “Om Namah Shivaya”:

Water (jal) — ideally Gangajal
Milk (doodh)
Curd (dahi)
Honey (shahad)
Ghee
Sugar water
Rose water
Finally, clean water again

2. Offerings

Bel patra (wood apple leaves) — Shiva’s favorite; offer in sets of three
Dhatura flowers — sacred to Shiva (handle with care — the plant is toxic)
White flowers — especially white lotus or chameli
Bhang — traditionally offered in some regions (symbolic, not consumed)
Raw milk — poured over the Shivling
Vibhuti (sacred ash) — applied to the Shivling
Rudraksha — placed near the Shivling

3. Mantra Chanting

Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” 108 times (minimum)
Or recite the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra 108 times: “Om Tryambakam Yajamahe, Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam, Urvarukamiva Bandhanan, Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat”
Or read the Shiva Chalisa

4. Aarti Perform evening aarti with camphor and ghee diya. Sing “Om Jai Shiv Omkara”.

Rudrabhishek

For those seeking a more elaborate practice, the Rudrabhishek involves chanting the Sri Rudram (from the Yajur Veda) while performing abhishek. This is considered one of the most powerful Vedic rituals and is especially potent during Shravan.

Important Shravan Dates and Events

Every Monday (Somvar)

Fasting and Shiva puja as described above
Visit Shiva temples — especially the 12 Jyotirlingas if accessible

Shravan Purnima (Full Moon)

Raksha Bandhan falls on this day
Also observed as Janai Purnima — changing the sacred thread
Coconut offering to Lord Varuna (sea god)

Nag Panchami

Fifth day of Shravan’s bright half
Worship of Nag Devta (serpent god)
Milk offering to snake images
Significance: Snakes are Shiva’s ornament; their worship pleases Shiva

Shravan Shivaratri

The Shivaratri that falls during Shravan is particularly powerful
Night-long vigil and worship
Four prahar (3-hour segments) of puja through the night

Hariyali Teej

Third day of Shravan’s bright half
Women worship Parvati for marital bliss
Swings, green clothes, mehendi, and traditional songs

Kanwar Yatra

During Shravan, millions of Kanwariyas (devotees) carry holy Ganga water on foot from Haridwar, Gaumukh, or Sultanganj to their local Shiva temples. This is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world.

The Kanwar (decorated pots of Gangajal balanced on a pole across the shoulders) must not touch the ground from the time the water is collected until it is offered to the Shivling.

Shravan Dos and Don’ts

Do:

Wake early every Monday
Perform abhishek with milk and water
Chant Om Namah Shivaya or Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra daily
Keep a Rudraksha mala for chanting
Eat sattvic food throughout the month
Practice truth, non-violence, and compassion

Don’t:

Don’t eat non-vegetarian food during Shravan
Don’t consume alcohol
Don’t cut trees (especially Bel and Peepal)
Don’t kill snakes or insects
Don’t eat leafy greens (traditional — because monsoon greens may carry insects)
Don’t begin new negative habits

Track Your Shravan Practice

Maintain your daily “Om Namah Shivaya” count throughout the month with our Naam Jap Counter. Set a Shravan-long streak and track every Monday’s practice.

Har Har Mahadev!