Sawan 2024 Start Date – Rituals and Significance!

In Hinduism, Sawan Month is a significant time marked by religious observances and significance. It’s thought to be a month of spiritual development and devotion. In 2024, the Sawan month will start on July 22 and end on August 19.

Sawan 2024 Start Date

An important time in the Hindu calendar is the month of Sawan, which is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. This sacred month, which lasts for the full lunar cycle in 2024, starts immediately after Ashadh Purnima. 

In 2024, the Sawan month, also known as Shravan, will begin on Monday, July 22nd, and it will end on Monday, August 19th. This year, Sawan will last for 29 days. 

Swan 2024 is observed with a number of significant rites and fasts, especially the Sawan Somwar Vrat, which is very significant to devotees.

It is believed that keeping this fast on Mondays will bring blessings and wish fulfillment. Throughout the day, devotees fast from food and liquids and pray to Lord Shiva.

Important Dates of Sawan Somwar 2024 

Sawan falls within the Monday-to-Monday time slot in 2024, so it coincides perfectly with the weekly cycle honoring Lord Shiva.Lord Shiva is highly revered during the entire month, and Monday fasting, or Sawan Somwar Vrat, is especially fortunate.

In 2024, there are going to be five Sawan Somwars. Following are the important dates for Sawan Somwar in 2024:

• First Sawan Somwar (fast): July 22
• Second Sawan Somwar (fast): July 29
• Third Sawan Somwar (fast): August 5
• Fourth Sawan Somwar (fast): August 12
• Fifth Sawan Somwar (fast): August 19

What are the rituals during Sawan?

During the sacred month of Sawan, devotees perform various rituals to seek blessings and express their devotion to Lord Shiva. Here are some significant rituals:

• Kanwar Yatra: Pilgrims carry water from the holy river Ganga in containers called “kanwars” and walk barefoot to Shiva temples. This Yatra symbolizes Lord Shiva’s journey with the Ganga water to cool down the poison.
• Fasting: Many people observe fasts on Mondays (Sawan Somwar) throughout the month. They abstain from food and water until evening and offer prayers to Lord Shiva.
• Abhishek: Devotees perform ritualistic bathing of Shiva Linga with water, milk, honey, and other sacred substances. This represents purification and devotion.
• Chanting Mantras: Reciting Shiva mantras, especially the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, is common during Sawan. It is believed to bring protection and healing.
• Visiting Shiva Temples: Devotees visit Shiva temples, offer bilva leaves, flowers, and light incense. Some also perform circumambulation (pradakshina) around the Shiva Linga.
• Listening to Shiva Kathas: Spiritual discourses and stories related to Lord Shiva are organized during this month.

Remember, Sawan is a time for introspection, devotion, and connecting with the divine. 

Significance of Sawan 

Sawan is regarded as a very significant month in terms of religion, mythology, society, and science. In Hinduism, Sawan Month has great significance. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is regarded as the holiest month of the year. 

Worshiping Lord Shiva during this month is believed by devotees to bring blessings, prosperity, and the fulfillment of desires. Additionally connected to the month is the monsoon season, which is lucky for farming endeavors. 

To obtain spiritual development and the divine blessings of Lord Shiva, people observe fasts and engage in a variety of religious rituals. Devotees often follow a strict vegetarian diet as an additional way of showing their devotion. 

This exercise is said to cleanse the body and mind and draw one closer to God. Many also refrain from eating non-vegetarian food and drinking alcohol as a sign of respect for Lord Shiva.

Are there any specific festivals during Sawan?

During the month of Sawan, several festivals and auspicious days hold significance for Lord Shiva devotees:

• Shravan Shivratri: This festival falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Sawan. Devotees observe fasts, perform puja, and seek blessings from Lord Shiva.
• Nag Panchami: On the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha), the holy month of sawan Nag Panchami is celebrated. People worship snakes and seek protection from snake bites.
• Hariyali Teej: This festival, dedicated to Goddess Parvati, usually falls during Sawan. Married women fast for the well-being of their husbands and perform rituals.

• Raksha Bandhan:Although not exclusive to Sawan, Raksha Bandhan often coincides with this month. Siblings celebrate their bond by tying rakhi (a protective thread) and exchanging gifts.
• Kajari Teej: Observed on the third day of the dark fortnight, Kajari Teej celebrates the monsoon season. Women sing folk songs and pray for a good harvest.
• Janmashtami: It is also known as Krishna Janmashtami, commemorates the birth of the well-known Hindu deity Lord Krishna. According to Hindu mythology, Janmashtami, or the eighth day of the dark half of Sawan month, is when Lord Krishna is said to have descended upon Earth.