Sawan Somvar 2026: Dates, Vrat Vidhi and History

The month of monsoon, or Sawan, is a very propitious month for Hindus, and they devote the whole month to worshiping Lord Shiva. Sawan ka mahina is just around the corner, and this year Sawan Somwar 2026 will begin on July 30 and end on August 11. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, the auspicious month of Sawan falls in the fifth month, and this justifies another name for it, Shravan ka mahina.

Shravan Somwar 2026 Start Date And End Date

Sawan Somwar Vrat Dates for Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar & Jharkhand

Sawan Somwar Vrat Dates for Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Goa, Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka & Tamil Nadu

Sawan Somwar Vrat Dates for Nepal, also some parts of Uttarakhand & Himachal Pradesh

The Mondays of this month, also known as Sawan ka Somwar, are very important as the devotees of Lord Shiva observe a fast on this day, as it is said to bring happiness and prosperity in their life. They also visit the temple and offer milk and fruits to Lord Shiva. This fast is known as Sawan Somwar Vrat.

Ber, or the Jujube Fruit, is said to be the most liked fruit by Lord Shiva, and this is why it is a crucial part of the offerings made by the devotees on Sawan Somwar 2026.

Not only Mondays but Tuesdays or Mangalwar are also very special for this month as they are dedicated to the beloved wife of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and devotees observe the Mangal Gauri Vrat on this day!

Though the Sawan is just observed for a month, the Sawan Somvar Vrat or Fast is kept for 16 consecutive Mondays by the devotees, starting from the first Monday of Sawan. 

If you are planning to practice the Sawan Somvar Vrat Vidhi this year, then here is how you should go about it.

Choghadiya Muhurat For Best Puja Timing

Sawan Somwar Vrat Katha

The story dates the day Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva came to spend time on earth from Kailash. On their way, they found a Lord Shiva temple. Due to the tiresome journey, the divine couple thought of taking a halt. Goddess Parvati was quite delighted by being at the temple and urged Mahadev to play the game of dice, which they continued to play for hours. 

When Goddess Parvati asked the Priest to guess the winner of this game, he said, 'Lord Shiva', but in the end, Goddess Parvati triumphed easily. As the Priest's predictions proved wrong, the Goddess furiously cursed him, making him a leper. In desperation, the priest began to wander around and eventually came across two devatas who asked him about his situation. They suggested the priest perform the Solah Somvar Vrat continuously for 16 Mondays. The priest got cured by adhering to these instructions.

When Goddess Parvati saw this, she curiously asked the priest about it. He mentioned how the Solah Somvar fast helped him cure. Amazed by this, Goddess Parvati observed the vrat herself to find that Kartikeya, her son, who departed from her, came back on the 16th day of the fast. It seemed as if the vrat had some divine power, and hence, after this incident, the Sawan Somwar Vrat Katha.

Also See: List of Sankranti Vrat Date

Also See: Today Rahu Kalam Timing

Sawan Somwar 2026 Vrat Vidhi:

This fast is no rocket science, and you should do it with an open heart, as there are no strict rules to follow. You are doing this purely for your well being, and there is no ill effect to it.

Here is the detailed vrat vidhi that you need to follow on Sawan Somwar 2026.

On the first Sawan Somwar 2026, begin the vrat by waking up early in the morning, taking a bath and then visiting the temple with puja samagri or the offerings for Lord Shiva, that usually comprises of Raw Milk, Honey, Ghee, Dahi, Sugar, Saffron, Sandalwood, Bel Leaves, Rudraksha, Flowers, Ber fruit, etc. On the Sawan Somwar 2026, if you are planning to pray at your home, then make sure you wash the idol of Lord Shiva and then decorate it with flowers as well as light a diya.

Also See: Sawan Somvar 2026 in Hindi

After the offerings are presented, devotees chant, offer mantras or prayers and recite ‘Om Namah Shivay’. Then the puja is concluded by offering sweets to Lord Shiva, preferably cooked at home, and the Sawan Somwar Vrat Katha is recited followed by Shiva Aarti.

Later in the evening, a diya is lit for Lord Shiva. 

Make sure you do not consume any kind of food during the whole day, but you can eat prasad and fruits after the completion of puja.

Sawan Shivratri, translated as ‘the great night of Shiva’, is also observed during this holy month, and this year will fall on August 23, Tuesday. This day is considered much significant by Lord Shiva devotees, which is why they fast and worship the Shiva Linga.

As per the Sawan Somwar Vrat Katha, it is said that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married on this day, and hence it is celebrated all across the nation with a lot of enthusiasm.

Also See: Rudrabhishek Puja Benefits and Significance

Benefits of Observing Sawan Somwar

The benefits of fasting on Sawan Somwars are:

• Sawan is considered a favorable time to worship Lord Shiva, and the devotees who worship him during this period achieve inner peace, spiritual growth, spiritual freedom, and transformation. 
• It is said that the desires of the devotees who observe fast and perform the rituals on Sawan Somwar get fulfilled.
• Worshipers practicing spirituality and self-purification during this period can purify their body, mind, and soul. 
• The unmarried people looking for marital bliss should observe fast on this day to find their desired life partner. If the married couples observe this fast together, their bond strengthens, and they get blessed with a satisfying and harmonious relationship.
• Worshipers who fast on this day get protection from negative energies and achieve success in their endeavors.
• The devotees are blessed with sound health, and their ailments get healed when they observe fast on Sawan Somwars.

Also See: List of Pradosh Vrat Dates

A few add-ons for Sawan Somvar:

Apart from the above mentioned processes and notes, there are a few more things that a lot of devotees like to follow, it’s not a compulsion, and you should only do as much as your health and lifestyle allows. 

1. Many devotees sprinkle Holy Gangajal all over their house after Sawan Somvar Puja Vidhi as it is a symbol of purity and is said to attract prosperity and happiness.
2. Some devotees also take a bath before their evening prayer and follow the whole procedure similarly.
3. Devotees also like to meditate after their Sawan Somvar pooja Vidhi is concluded. 

This is all you need to know about the holy Sawan ka mahina and Sawan Somwar Vrat Vidhi. If you are planning to practice this fast, mark the Sawan Somwar 2026 start date and end date and do not go too hard on yourself and only do as much as your lifestyle allows. You should do this fast purely for your well being and not have any selfish intent in your mind.