Sawan Somwar 2025: Food rules to follow during the month-long celebration

Time of India

14-07-2025

The holy month of Sawan, dedicated to Lord Shiva, begins on July 11, 2025, and lasts until August 9, 2025. Devotees observe fasts on Mondays, perform Kavar Yatra, and offer prayers for prosperity. Auspicious rituals include offering Panchamrut, Bel Patra, and reciting the Shravan Somwar Vrata Katha, while adhering to specific dietary guidelines and avoiding certain foods and spices.
The holy month of Sawan/Shravan is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to Hindu calendar, this year the month began on Fri, 11 Jul, 2025 and will continue till Sat, 9 Aug, 2025. It comes after Aashad month and it is considered as an auspicious month during which devotees observe fast on every Monday (Somvar) and pray to Lord Shiva to ensure prosperity and happiness in life.
According to mythology, during this month devotees also carry out a Kavar Yatra to Haridwar, Gaumukh, Gangotri and Devghar to perform abhishek with Ganga water.
Following are the Sawan Somvar vrat dates for the year 2025
14th July, 21st July, 28th July, and 4th August and the Sawan Shivratri will be celebrated on 23rd July.
Significance of Sawan Somvar
Sawan Somvar vrat is considered auspicious and is observed by people of all age groups who follow Lord Shiva.
According to mythology, it is observed by unmarried women to get a desired life partner. During this month, women even apply mehndi on their hands and continue the Somvar Vrat for 16 weeks (Solah Somvar Vrat) to please Lord Shiva and attain a happy married life.
Key rituals of Sawan Somvar
The followers of Lord Shiva during this month, bathe early morning, pay a visit to a temple, and offer prayers. During this holy month, on every Monday devotees visit Lord Shiva temple, offer prayer with Panchamrut, which is a mixture of gangajal, milk, ghee, yoghurt, and honey.
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They also offer Bel Patra, Datura Phool, Bhang, and fruits to Lord Shiva. Also, the Shravan Somwar Vrata Katha is also recited and worshippers chant the Maha Mrutyunjay mantra to please Lord Shiva.
What to eat and avoid
1. Devotees who observe fast eat fruits, sweets made with milk or mawa, drink milk and water. For devotees who can't avoid salt intake, consumption of sendha namak is allowed once in a day and they often enjoy it in the form of Vrat Wale Aloo, ShakarKandi Chaat or even fruit salad, but they strictly avoid grains.
2. During the entire month, devotees avoid the consumption of alcohol, non-vegetarian food, egg, onion and garlic as well.
3. Fruits like mango, banana, papaya, grapes, pineapple, apple, jamun, pear, sweet potato, and plum are consumed. Along with this people also eat roasted peanut, makhana, curd, and amaranth seeds during the fast.
Do's
1. On this day, fast honestly and follow the rituals diligently.
2. On this day take a bath, clean the house, and sprinkle Gangajal.
3. Place Lord Shiva's idol or picture in the northeast direction of the house, offer him Bael Patra, Chandan, Dhatura, Bhaang, and raw cow milk. Follow the pooja rituals and then perform the Aarti.
4. While fasting, do not starve yourself. Keep eating nuts and fruits every two hours.
5. On this day while fasting, devotees can eat nuts, fruits, dairy products like milk and butter, and selected flours like Kuttu ka Atta (buckwheat flour), Singhare ka Atta (water chestnut flour) or Rajgira ka Atta (amaranth flour).
6. Drink water, milk, buttermilk, and fresh juices throughout the day to keep the body hydrated.
7. Replace table salt with rock salt or sendha namak for cooking recipes during the holy month. Also, while using spices stick to cumin seeds, cinnamon, green cardamom, cloves, black pepper powder, red chilli powder, and black peppercorns.
Don'ts
1. During worshiping Lord Shiva, avoid using ketki flowers and turmeric.
2. On this day and even during the entire month, the consumption of onion, garlic, and spices should be avoided.
4. Apart from these, the consumption of meat, egg, alcohol, and tobacco is also strictly prohibited during Sawan.
4. Avoid drinking packaged juices as they may contain added salt and preservatives to enhance the flavour.
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