All About Shravan | Meaning, History, Fasting Rules, and Easy Satvik Recipes
Learn the significance and story behind Shravan, how fasting is practiced today, and how to keep your body light and spirit grounded with satvic food.;
What is Shravan?
Shravan, also known as Sawan, is one of the most auspicious months in the Hindu calendar. Dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, this month typically begins in mid-July and ends in mid-August. It is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar. During this period, devotees observe various rituals and fasts, most notably the Shravan Somwar fasts held on Mondays, to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings.
Shravan holds great significance as it symbolizes growth, prosperity, and self-reflection, coinciding with the onset of the monsoon, which brings the promise of renewal and new beginnings. The month is celebrated across many parts of India, including North India, Western states like Rajasthan and Gujarat, Central regions such as Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and Southern states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Shravan Month Origins: When and How This Sacred Tradition Began
A month as auspicious as Shravan naturally makes us wonder, when did it all begin? You’re in the right place.
Shravan has its roots in Vedic times, and while it’s tough to pinpoint an exact start, it's safe to say this sacred month has been part of our culture for centuries. Mentions appear in the Rigveda and Yajurveda, where lunar months and nakshatras helped mark time for rituals. Shravan gets its name from the Shravana Nakshatra, visible during the full moon in this period. Its alignment with the monsoon season made it ideal for indoor spiritual practices and Vedic yajnas, especially as farming slowed down.
The connection to Lord Shiva deepened through stories in the Skanda Purana, Shiva Purana, and Padma Purana. The tale of Samudra Manthan, where Shiva drank the deadly poison Halahala to save the universe, is central to this month. It's believed the gods offered him water to cool his throat, which inspired the tradition of abhishek with water and milk. By the Gupta period, rituals like Somwar Vrat and temple offerings had become a common practice.
Why is Shravan Somvar Vrat Observed?
When my mother began preparing for Shravan, I’d often ask her- why do you observe this month? Why stay hungry? And why eat such plain food, without even garlic or proper spices?
Her answer was always the same. For her, Shravan wasn’t just about devotion—it was about spiritual and physical well-being. She believed that after indulging in different foods throughout the year, it made sense to dedicate one month to the cleanest, simplest meals. It is a way to reset both body and mind.
Over the past few years, I’ve come to understand what she meant. Shravan isn’t just a holy month; it’s a call to slow down, eat clean, live simply, and reflect. The traditional satvik diet during fasting helps detox the body and improve digestion, especially in the monsoon. Spiritually, the prayers, mantras, and quiet rituals offer clarity and peace, a reset from the chaos of everyday life. For many today, Shravan is less about rules and more about reconnection—with oneself and with something higher.
How is Shravan celebrated in India?
It’s during festivals like Shravan that we truly feel the diversity and depth of India. Every state, city, town, and even village has its way of honouring Lord Shiva during this sacred month. In North India, especially Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, devotees observe Shravan Somwar by visiting Shiva temples and offering jalabhishek every Monday. In Maharashtra, fasting and temple visits, especially to places like Trimbakeshwar, are common, and Nag Panchami is celebrated by worshipping snakes as symbols of Shiva. In South India, particularly in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Shravan overlaps with the Aadi month, marked by special pujas and rituals dedicated to the goddess. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand and parts of Odisha, the Shravani Mela and Kanwar Yatra see saffron-clad devotees carrying holy water to offer at Shiva shrines. The customs may vary, but the spirit of devotion, fasting, and prayer ties the country together during this powerful month.
What Do People Eat During Shravan?
Food during Shravan reflects the spirit of the month—simple, sattvik, and nourishing. Since many people observe fasts or follow dietary restrictions to honour Lord Shiva, the meals are typically free of onion, garlic, grains, and regular salt. Instead, ingredients that are light on the stomach, easy to digest, and spiritually pure are favoured. Across India, families prepare meals that are both traditional and adaptive, using locally available vrat-friendly ingredients that offer energy and comfort during this spiritually significant time. And the best part? You can also check out some of the most delicious Shravan recipes that feature these ingredients. Take a look below!
Sabudana (Tapioca Pearls): Derived from the starch of the cassava root, sabudana is rich in carbohydrates and easy to digest, making it an ideal food for fasting. It provides quick energy and is commonly prepared as khichdi, vada, or kheer during the month of Shravan. Or, if you are looking to spruce up your sabudana game, you can try these Sabudana Waffles!
Rajgira (Amaranth): A gluten-free pseudo-grain packed with protein, calcium, and iron. Rajgira is considered a "fasting superfood" and is often used in parathas, laddoos, or as flour for rotis. Its high nutritional value balances the minimal fasting diet. However, if you want a new recipe to enjoy this superfood, then make this Vrat Kadhi at home!
Sama Rice (Barnyard Millet): Also called vrat ke chawal, sama is a millet that mimics the texture of rice but is grain-free. It’s cooked like rice and used in dishes like khichdi, pulao, or kheer, making it a staple for those avoiding grain. While it makes a great rice substitute, why just stop there? For days when you crave a vrat-friendly dosa, this one will win.
Potatoes: One of the few vegetables allowed during fasts, potatoes are filling, versatile, and easy to prepare. They are used in dry sabzis, chaats, or as a base for patties, keeping meals hearty and satisfying without breaking vrat rules. And if you are making a vrat thali, then potato will be the binding ingredient, quite literally. So take a look!
Shravan is a month that gently reminds us to return to simplicity, in the way we eat, think, and live. Rooted in devotion to Lord Shiva, it is a time when people across India set aside everyday indulgences to focus on inner clarity and mindful living. The lightness of satvik food, the rhythm of daily rituals, and the quiet strength of collective faith all come together to create a sense of balance. In its essence, Shravan is not just about tradition but about transformation; helping us cleanse, reflect, and move forward with a calmer mind and a lighter spirit.