Sawan 2026: Dates, Somvar Calendar & Which Rudraksha to Wear

Sawan 2026 at a glance

Sawan (Shravan) is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and the month most associated with Lord Shiva - a time of Somvar (Monday) fasts, jalabhishek, the Kanwar Yatra and Rudrabhishek. Below is the full 2026 calendar, followed by why devotees choose this month for Rudraksha, a goal-wise guide to which bead to wear, and answers to the most common questions.

Sawan 2026 calendar - every important date

A Somvar vrat is a Monday fast kept through Sawan; many devotees also observe Mangala Gauri vrat on Tuesdays. These are the dates that matter in Shravan 2026.

Tithis follow the lunar calendar; local panchang timings can shift a date by a day in some regions - always confirm with your family panchang for vrat sankalp.

Why Shiva worship & Rudraksha matter in Sawan

By tradition, the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) took place in Shravan, and Lord Shiva drank the halahal poison to protect creation - so devotees offer water and bel-patra through the month to cool and honour him. Because Shravan is Shiva's own month, it is held to be the most auspicious time for jalabhishek, Rudrabhishek and for beginning the daily discipline of wearing a Rudraksha.

Rudraksha means "the eye of Rudra" - the Puranas describe the bead as born of Lord Shiva himself. Tradition holds that a Rudraksha first worn in Sawan - cleansed, energised and worn on a Somvar morning after chanting "Om Namah Shivaya" 108 times - is begun at the most auspicious possible moment. New to Rudraksha? Read our plain-language guide to the different types of Rudraksha first.

Which Rudraksha should you wear? A goal-wise guide

Each Mukhi (face) of a Rudraksha is traditionally linked to a deity and a quality. Below is the classic Sawan selection. If you are unsure, our free Lucky Rudraksha Calculator suggests a bead from your birth details, or an astrologer can match it to your full chart.

Prefer to browse the full range or shop curated Sawan sets? Explore our Natural Rudraksha collection, the Sawan Special 2026 collection where pairs, trios and premium sets are curated by goal, or a full Rudraksha Mala for japa.

Rudraksha Mala & japa in Sawan

Many devotees keep a 108-bead Rudraksha mala for chanting through Shravan. A 5 Mukhi mala is the traditional choice for daily "Om Namah Shivaya" japa - the same mantra used to energise a single bead before first wear. Browse full malas in the Rudraksha Mala collection.

Rudrabhishek in Sawan

Rudrabhishek is the traditional Vedic ritual of bathing a Shivling with sacred offerings - water, milk, honey, curd, ghee - while the Sri Rudram is chanted. Devotees believe Rudrabhishek performed on a Sawan Somvar carries special significance, which is why Shravan is considered the ideal month for it.

Ordering during Kanwar Yatra (30 July – 12 August)

Kanwar routes across Delhi–Haridwar–West UP see road closures in the first two weeks of Sawan. Deliveries to affected pincodes can take 1–3 days longer, so order early - or order prepaid, which dispatches energised without waiting for the next Somvar. See our full Kanwar Yatra 2026 guide. Every order ships free across India, insured in transit with a tracking link.

Frequently asked questions