Gandhinagar: The holy month of Shravan, as per the Gujarati Hindu Vikram Samvat 2081 calendar, is set to begin tomorrow on Friday, July 25, and will continue till Saturday, August 23. This spiritually significant period brings with it a host of widely celebrated Hindu festivals, including Janmashtami, Raksha Bandhan, Nag Panchami, and Shitala Satam. The month also includes the national holiday for Independence Day on August 15, adding to the festive spirit.

Shravan holds deep religious significance among devotees across Gujarat and India. Mondays during Shravan, known as Shravan Somvars, are especially auspicious for the worship of Lord Shiva. On these days — falling this year on July 28, August 4, August 11, and August 18 — devotees flock to Shiva temples, performing abhishek with milk, offering bilva leaves, and observing fasts like Farali vrat, where only fruits and specific foods are consumed.

During this month, devotees also take out Kavad Yatras, a pilgrimage for Shiva devotees. In this ritual, Kanwariyas (devotees) collect holy water (Gangajal), typically in Haridwar or Gangotri, and carry it back to their local Shiva temples to offer on Shivlingams.

During the month, Nariyeli Poonam, significant for coastal communities and traders, will fall on August 8, with Raksha Bandhan on August 9 strengthening the sacred bond between brothers and sisters.

Among key dates, Nag Panchami will be celebrated on August 13, followed by Randhan Chhath on August 14 and Shitala Satam on August 15.

Shri Krishna Janmashtami, marking the birth of Lord Krishna, will be observed with traditional fervor on August 16, followed by Nand Mahotsav on August 17. Devotees will also observe Aja Ekadashi (Shravan Vad Agiyaras) on August 19.

The Paryushan Parva, an important festival in the Jain community, will commence on August 20 for some sects and August 21 for others.

The vibrancy of the festive calendar doesn’t stop with Shravan. Hindus will then usher in Ganesh Chaturthi and Samvatsari on August 27, Anant Chaturdashi on September 6, the colorful Navratri festival beginning September 22, Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra) on October 2, and Sharad Purnima on October 6, among other festivals that follow.

The sacred month of Shravan not only deepens devotional practices but also fuels cultural tourism, family gatherings, and special Shravan travel packages offered by tour operators. As devotees across Gujarat gear up for this auspicious period, temples, markets, and households alike prepare to celebrate the season of devotion, fasting, and festivity. DeshGujarat