Sawan Shivaratri 2026 will be observed on Monday, August 10, with devotees across India preparing to worship Lord Shiva, observe a fast and perform night-long prayers. The festival falls during the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of the Sawan month and is considered particularly auspicious for Shiva devotees.According to Drik Panchang, the Chaturdashi Tithi will begin at 6:24 PM on August 10 and end at 3:22 PM on August 11, 2026.Read more - Som Pradosh Vrat 2026: Date, puja timings, significance, rituals and benefits of observing Sawan somvar and Pradosh vrat togetherSawan Shivaratri is different from Maha Shivaratri, which is observed later in the year. While devotees worship Lord Shiva on both occasions, the Shivaratri falling during the month of Shravan is especially significant because the entire Sawan month is traditionally dedicated to Shiva worship.Read more - August 2026 Festival Calendar: Dates for Raksha Bandhan, Hariyali Teej, Onam, Nag Panchami and all other festivals this monthWhen is Sawan Shivaratri 2026?According to Drik Panchang, Sawan Shivaratri will be observed on Monday, August 10, 2026.The Chaturdashi Tithi begins at 6:24 PM on August 10 and ends at 3:22 PM on August 11.Devotees traditionally observe a fast during the day and perform Shiva Puja during the night, particularly during the Nishita Kaal.Sawan Shivaratri 2026 Nishita Kaal Puja timeThe Nishita Kaal Puja is one of the most significant prayer periods associated with Shivaratri.As per Drik Panchang, the Nishita Kaal on Sawan Shivaratri will be from: 1:09 AM to 1:50 AM on August 11, 2026The duration of the Nishita Kaal Puja will be approximately 41 minutes.Devotees can use this period to perform Shiva Puja and offer prayers to Lord Shiva.Sawan Shivaratri 2026 Ratri Prahar timingsShivaratri worship is traditionally divided into four Prahar periods during the night.According to Drik Panchang, the timings are:First Prahar: 8:21 PM to 10:55 PM on August 10Second Prahar: 10:55 PM to 1:29 AM on August 11Third Prahar: 1:29 AM to 4:04 AM on August 11Fourth Prahar: 4:04 AM to 6:38 AM on August 11Devotees who perform night-long worship may offer prayers to Shiva during these four Prahar periods.Sawan Shivaratri 2026 Parana timeDevotees observing the Sawan Shivaratri fast will break their fast, or perform Parana, on August 11.According to Drik Panchang, the Parana time will be between 6:38 AM and 3:22 PM on August 11, 2026.The exact practice followed for breaking the fast can vary according to regional traditions and religious customs.Sawan Shivaratri 2026 vrat vidhiDevotees traditionally prepare for the Shivaratri fast from the previous day. According to the traditional vrat procedure, devotees may eat once on Trayodashi before beginning the fast.On Sawan Shivaratri, devotees take a morning bath and make a Sankalp, or a solemn resolve, to observe the fast and worship Lord Shiva.The fast may be observed according to an individual's tradition and capacity. Devotees then perform Shiva Puja during the night and continue their prayers through the Shivaratri period.A second bath is traditionally taken in the evening before beginning the night's worship or visiting a Shiva temple.How is Lord Shiva worshipped on Sawan Shivaratri?Devotees visit Shiva temples and offer prayers to the Shiva Lingam. Offerings commonly include water, milk, Bilva leaves and flowers, depending on local customs.Many devotees also perform Abhishekam, chanting Shiva mantras and reciting prayers during the night.The four Prahar periods hold particular significance for those observing night-long worship.Why is Sawan Shivaratri considered auspicious?The entire month of Sawan, or Shravan, is traditionally associated with Lord Shiva. Devotees observe various forms of worship, fasting and temple visits throughout the month.Therefore, Shivaratri falling during Sawan is considered especially significant among Shiva devotees.Major Shiva temples also see increased activity during this period, with devotees undertaking pilgrimages and offering Gangajal to Shiva Lingams.Sawan Shivaratri and Maha Shivaratri are not the sameIt is important not to confuse Sawan Shivaratri with Maha Shivaratri.Sawan Shivaratri occurs during the Shravan month, while Maha Shivaratri is the major annual Shivaratri festival generally observed in February or March according to the Gregorian calendar.There are traditionally around 12 Masik Shivaratris in a year, occurring on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi. Sawan Shivaratri is the Shivaratri associated with the Shravan month.Where is Sawan Shivaratri especially popular?Sawan Shivaratri is particularly prominent in several North Indian states, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar, where the Purnimanta lunar calendar is traditionally followed.In several states that follow the Amanta lunar calendar, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the corresponding Shivaratri during this period may fall in a different lunar month.Disclaimer: The dates, tithi timings, puja timings and vrat-related information in this article have been sourced from Drik Panchang. Timings may vary depending on the location, so devotees are advised to check the timings applicable to their city.
