When is Sawan Shivratri 2025 & how is it different from Mahashivratri? All you need to know

Sawan Shivratri 2025 date & timings: Sawan Shivratri is a highly significant Hindu festival celebrated during the holy Sawan month. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and holds immense spiritual importance for devotees. Observed on the 14th day of Krishna Paksha (Chaturdashi Tithi) in the month of Shravan, Sawan Shivratri will be an auspicious day for Shiva worshippers. Many people often wonder, "When is Sawan Shivratri 2025?" or "What is the difference between Sawan Shivratri and Mahashivratri?" This article will cover everything you need to know, including Sawan Shivratri 2025 date & timings, rituals, celebrations, and its distinction from Mahashivratri.

Sawan Shivratri 2025: Date and Timings

As per the Hindu lunar calendar, Sawan Shivratri 2025 will be observed on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The festival falls on the Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha during the sacred Sawan month. Devotees perform special Shiva pujas, offer Gangajal, and observe fasts to seek blessings. Below are the Sawan Shivratri 2025 date & timings as per Drik Panchang:

Why is Sawan Shivratri Important?

Sawan is considered the holiest month to worship Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that fasting, chanting, and offering Gangajal, Dhatura, and Bilva leaves on Sawan Shivratri can fulfil desires and remove obstacles from life.

Difference Between Sawan Shivratri and Mahashivratri

Many people get confused between Sawan Shivratri and Mahashivratri. While both are dedicated to Lord Shiva, they differ in significance and timing:

• Sawan Shivratri occurs during the Shravan month, which is already considered highly auspicious for Shiva worship. This day is particularly significant for fasting and performing rituals in Shiva temples.
• Mahashivratri, on the other hand, is observed on Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalguna (February-March). It marks the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is celebrated with grand processions and night-long vigils.

Rituals of Sawan Shivratri

Observing Sawan Shivratri involves strict fasting, night-long pujas, and devotion to Lord Shiva. Here’s how devotees can perform the rituals:

1. Early Morning Rituals

• Wake up early before sunrise and take a holy bath.
• Wear clean, white or saffron-coloured clothes.
• Offer water (Jalabhishek) to the Sun God (Surya Deva).

2. Temple Visit & Offerings

• Clean the temple area and set up Lord Shiva’s idol along with Goddess Parvati’s idol.
• Perform Shiva Abhishek using milk, Ganga water, honey, curd, and ghee.
• Offer Bilva leaves, Dhatura, Bhang, Sandalwood paste, and white flowers.
• Light a ghee diya and recite the Shiva Chalisa, Rudra Path, and Om Namah Shivaya mantra.

3. Night-long Fasting & Puja

• Devotees observe nirjala (without water) or phalahar (fruits and milk-based) fast.
• Perform Shiva Puja in four Prahars (four phases of the night).
• Consume prasad (fruits, kheer, and halwa) only after Parana the next morning.

Sawan Shivratri Celebrations in India

1. Kanwar Yatra & Jalabhishek

During Sawan month, thousands of devotees participate in Kanwar Yatra, collecting holy water from the Ganga River and offering it to Shiva temples. This ritual is known as Jalabhishek. On Sawan Shivratri, millions of Kanwariyas will visit temples to perform this sacred offering.

2. Grand Festivities at Shiva Temples

Some of the most famous Shiva temples in India conduct special pujas, bhajans, and aartis during Sawan Shivratri:

• Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
• Mahakaleshwar Temple (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh)
• Kedarnath Temple (Uttarakhand)
• Somnath Temple (Gujarat)
• Baidyanath Dham (Jharkhand)

Sawan Shivratri in Different Regions

The celebration of Sawan Shivratri varies based on regional calendars:

• In North India (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh), the festival is observed in Shravan month.
• In South India (Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat), where the Amanta lunar calendar is followed, it corresponds to Ashadha Shivratri.

Sawan Shivratri Vrat Vidhi (Fasting Rules)

Observing a fast on Sawan Shivratri is believed to bring prosperity and divine blessings. Here’s how to follow the Vrat Vidhi:

• On Trayodashi (a day before Shivratri), eat only once.
• On Sawan Shivratri day, take a Sankalp (vow) to fast without grains or salt.
• Break the fast (Parana) only after completing Shiva Puja the next morning.
• Some devotees believe that the fast should be broken only after Chaturdashi Tithi ends, while others suggest breaking it between sunrise and the end of Chaturdashi for maximum benefits.

Sawan Shivratri is a special day for Shiva devotees, offering a powerful opportunity for spiritual awakening and divine blessings. Observing Sawan Shivratri fast, performing Abhishek, and chanting Lord Shiva’s mantras can bring peace, prosperity, and fulfilment of desires. Unlike Mahashivratri, which is celebrated in Phalguna month, Sawan Shivratri falls during the auspicious Sawan month and holds great significance in North India.

Make sure to mark July 23, 2025, on your calendar and prepare to celebrate Sawan Shivratri with devotion and faith!

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