Shravan 2020 Maharashtra – Start Date, End Date, and Sawan Somwar Vrat

Shravan 2020 Maharashtra: Shravan starts on Tuesday, July 21 and ends on Wednesday, August 19 in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat. Sawan begins on July 6 and ends on August 3 in North India (Rajasthan, Punjab, UP, MP, Bihar).

Shravan 2020 Dates

When the Sun enters the Zodiac Sign Leo, it is marked as the beginning of Sawan month. However, the calculation of the Sawan month is different in North India and South India.

South Indians follow the Amavasyant Lunar Calendar. Whereas, North Indians follow the Purnimanta Hindu Calendar. In the Purnimanta calendar, Shravan month starts fifteen days before the Amavasyant calendar.

Shravan 2020 Dates for North India (Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Himachal Pradesh)

Dates	Days	Event
July 6, 2020	Monday	First day of Shravana Month
July 13, 2020	Monday	Sawan Somwar Vrat
July 20, 2020	Monday	Sawan Somwar Vrat
July 27, 2020	Monday	Sawan Somwar Vrat
August 3, 2020	Monday	Sawan Somwar Vrat
August 3, 2020	Monday	Last day of Shravana Month

Shravan 2020 Dates for Western and Southern India (Maharashtra (Mumbai), Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Gujarat)

Dates	Days	Event
July 21, 2020	Tuesday	First day of Shravana Month
July 27, 2020	Monday	Sawan Somwar Vrat
August 3, 2020	Monday	Sawan Somwar Vrat
August 10, 2020	Monday	Sawan Somwar Vrat
August 17, 2020	Monday	Sawan Somwar Vrat
August 19, 2020	Wednesday	Last day of Shravana Month

What is Shravan Month?

Sawan 2020 month is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar. It begins in late July from the first day of the full moon and ends on the day of the next full moon. The month of Shravana celebrates the arrival of the South-West monsoons. In the Hindu calendar, Shravan month is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

The whole month is considered auspicious to seek blessings of Lord Shiva. Devotees keep various fasts during this month. All the Shiva Temples are filled with devotees during Shravan Month.

The legend behind Shravan

According to the legends, Parvati wanted to marry Lord Shiva. Hence, she performed penance and fasting for the whole month of Saawan. Lord Shiva pleased with the devotion of Parvati, fulfilled her wish. Shiva likes the Sawan month very much as he got reunited with his wife during this period. 

Importance of Sawan Month

• Shravan Month is considered one of the holiest months of the year.
• It is the best time to conduct all-important religious ceremonies.
• Hindus hold the month of Shravan with utmost respect and devotion.
• It gives them a massive amount of blessings and good fortune into their lives.

Fasts in Sawan Month

There are 4 types of Vrats (fasts) people can take in the month of Sawan 2020. These are :

1. Sawan Somwar Vrat – The first day of the week (Monday) is dedicated to Lord Shiva. People take this fast on all Mondays occurring in the month of Sawan. There are a total of 4 Mondays during Sawan.
2. Solah Somwar Vrat – People keep this fast for 16 consecutive Mondays. The first Monday of Shravan month is the starting date for Solah Somwar Vrat. This fast is mainly done by single women wishing for a nice groom.
3. Pradosh Vrat – It is a combination of three durations that are most favourite to Lord Shiva. These are Shravan + Monday + Pradosh. Hence, people take this fast in the month of Shravan, all Mondays and the 13th day of the Hindu month (Trayodashi).
4. Mangala Gauri Vrat – Tuesday’s fasting during Shravan month is known as Mangal Gauri Vrat. This Vrat is observed by women for the long life of their husbands.

Shravan Somwar Vrat Rules and Guidelines

According to the scriptures, certain rules and guidelines need to be followed while observing a fast in the month of Sawan 2019. These are as follows:

1. One should wake up early in the morning, clean the house and then take a proper bath.
2. Gangajal (water of Holy Ganga) is spread in the house to purify it.
3. Then the idol of Lord Shiva is duly cleaned and prepared for the Pooja.
4. A Rudra Abhishek is done to the Lord with Milk, Water, Ghee, Gangajal, Rose Water, etc.
5. One can also offer milk to the Shiva Lingam in any Shiva Temple.
6. The holy mantra of ‘Om Namah Shivay’ is chanted while meditating upon him.
7. People should not eat anything the whole day and prayers are offered twice a day.
   • 1st – Early in the morning
   • 2nd – After the Sunset
8. For the puja, a lamp with gingelly oil should lighten up.
9. Solah Somvar Vrat Katha (Sawan Vrat Katha) is to be recited during the Vrat. The Vrat Katha describes the life of Mahadeva and Parvati.
10. Lastly, an Aarti is performed and Prasad is distributed among the family members.
11. After that, the fast can be broken, and normal food can be consumed. People can also take Falahaar (fruit diet).

Significance of each day during Shravan 2020

Each day of the week during Shravan month carries spiritual significance. Here is a list of the significance of each day with the respective God:

1. Monday – Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
2. Tuesday – Dedicated to Goddess Gauri.
3. Wednesday – Dedicated to Lord Vithala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
4. Thursday – Dedicated to Lord Budh and Guru.
5. Friday – Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi & Goddess Tulsi.
6. Saturday – Dedicated to Shani Dev (Saturn).
7. Sunday – Dedicated to Suryadev (Sun God).

Festivals in Shravan 2020

Shravan is considered as a holy month in the Hindu calendar due to a number of festivals celebrated during this time. These popular festivals are:

Festivals	Dates 2020	Calendar
Krishna Janmashtami	11 August 2020	8th day after the Full Moon
Raksha Bandhan	3 August 2020	Shravana Poornima (Full Moon)
Shravani or Narali Poornima	3 August 2020	Shravana Poornima (Full Moon)
Shravana Putrada Ekadashi	30 July 2020	11th day after Amavasya of Shravan Maas
Naag Panchami	25 July 2020	5th day after Amavasya of Shravan Maas
Hariyali Teej	23 July 2020	3rd day after Amavasya of Shravan Maas
Shravan Purnima	5 July 2020	Guru Purnima of Shravan Month

1. Krishna Janmashtami – Krishna Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna. To witness the best celebrations, one must head to Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Mumbai also hosts the unique ritual of “Dahi Handi” on this day.
2. Raksha Bandhan – Raksha Bandhan signifies the bond between brothers and sisters. All the sisters tie Rakhis on the wrists of their brothers to bring them good luck. Raksha Bandhan means “Bond of Protection” and also called as Rakhi Purnima.
3. Shravani or Narali Poornima – In the coastal regions of Maharashtra, fisherman offers a coconut (Narial in Marathi) to the sea for calming it down after the monsoon season. This day marks the beginning of the fishing season.
4. Shravana Putrada Ekadashi (Pavitropana Ekadashi) – Husband and wife who do not have a son for a long time after marriage observe 24 hours fast on this day. They worship Lord Vishnu in the wish of getting a male child.
5. Naag Panchami – On this day, snake god Naga is worshipped for the welfare of the family. People offer milk to the idols and images of snakes. Snakes are considered dear to Lord Shiva, hence people also worship at Shiva Temples this day.
6. Hariyali Teej – Haryali Teej welcome the monsoon season and is celebrated primarily by girls and women, with songs and dancing. This day is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and her union with Lord Shiva.

Special Poojas and Rituals performed during Shravan Month

1. Rudrabhishek – This pooja is performed to worship Lord Shiva in one of his most popular Rudra forms. Rudrabhisek – Procedures and Benefits – READ MORE
   • Maha Rudrabhishek – This Rudrabhisek is performed to get rid of the negative effects of planet Saturn. 
   • Laghu Rudrabhishek – This Rudrabhishek is performed by experienced priests by reciting very powerful mantras.
2. Maha Mrityunjaya Jaap – Mahamrityunjaya Mantra has miraculous effects in the lives of the people and relieves them from the death and rebirth cycle. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra – Benefits, Costs and Procedures – READ MORE
   • ॐ त्र्यं॑बकं यजामहे सु॒गन्धिं॑ पुष्टि॒वर्ध॑नम् ।
     उ॒र्वा॒रु॒कमि॑व॒ बन्ध॑नान् मृ॒त्योर् मुक्षीय॒ माऽमृता॑त् 
3. Mantra Chanting – A person may chant Shiva mantras using Rudraksha beads. It is usually done silently in mind and in the multiples of 108.
   • Om Namah Shivaya (ॐ नमः शिवाय)
4. Mangala Gouri Pooja – Observing fast and worshipping Goddess Maha Gauri during Saawan maas is very fruitful.

Kanwar Yatra during Shravan 2020

Kanwar Yatra, also known as Kanwar Mela is a holy fair that starts in the sacred month of Shravana (Savan). The devotees who participate in this annual pilgrimage are known as Kanwariyas.

These devotees travel barefoot to the four important pilgrimage places of Gaumukh, Haridwar, Gangotri, and Sultanganj. They fetch the holy waters of sacred river Ganga from there. This holy water is then offered to Baba Baidyanath in Devgarh and special Jyotir Lingas of the country.

The Kanwaris also visit the special rivers throughout the country based on their accessibility like the River Narmada, River Kshipra and other holy rivers and offer their water to Lord Shiva.

Starting Point

The Kanwaris start traveling from the source of the river like the Gangotri or Gaumukh in Uttarakhand.

Ending Point

Shravani Melas or fairs are conducted in Deogarh in Jharkhand where thousands of devotees bring the holy water. Abhishekam is also conducted at places like Allahabad and Varanasi.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shravan 2020