Sawan Shivratri involves a fast, an abhishek and a night or day of devotion, and many families are not sure how to organise it. A pandit leads the puja, so you can focus on the vrat and the abhishek.
Why it is done
Shivratri falls every lunar month on the Krishna paksha chaturdashi, and the one in Shravan (Sawan) is widely observed in the North, including by Kanwar pilgrims who offer Ganga jal to Shiva. Many families fast and offer water, milk and bilva leaves.
Who it is for
Families who observe Sawan Shivratri; devotees offering Ganga jal at home; those who fast on Shivratri; households holding a Shiva puja in Sawan.
When to do it
On the Shivratri tithi in Shravan, which falls on different dates each year and differs by calendar. Many families do the puja in the evening or night. Your pandit can suggest muhurat options for your date and city.
Choose your ceremony
About 1 hour for the standard ceremony; about 1.5 hours for the extended one.
- Live video puja: A live video Sawan Shivratri Puja works well if the family is abroad or in another city: the pandit leads on video and you follow along at home. You will arrange samagri yourself, and a helper at home makes the setup easier.
- Standard: The standard ceremony: A shorter Shiva puja with sankalp, Ganesh pooja, abhishek, mantras and aarti. It runs about 1 hour with one pandit; the exact number of steps is confirmed by the pandit.
- Extended: The extended ceremony: The fuller sequence of around 21 vidhi steps, with longer pujan, more offerings and more time at each stage. It runs about 1.5 hours with one pandit and follows a sequence of around 21 vidhi steps.
Choose the standard for a focused abhishek at home. Choose the extended ceremony if your family follows the fuller vidhi.
Choose 'With samagri' and the pandit brings the ritual items. Choose 'Own samagri' if you already have them or prefer to buy them yourself; the pandit can share a list before the day.
The sequence
- Sankalp with your name and vrat intention
- Ganesh pooja to begin
- Kalash sthapana
- Abhishek of the Shivling with Ganga jal, water, milk and other offerings
- Bilva leaves, flowers and offerings
- Shiva mantra recitation
- Katha, if your family follows it
- Aarti and prasad
How to prepare
- Decide whether you will keep a full or partial fast and check your family's custom
- Keep a Shivling, Ganga jal and bilva leaves ready
- Protect the floor, as the abhishek will spill water and milk
- Keep fruits and prasad ready
- Share your tradition when booking
- Decide whether to use pandit-arranged samagri or your own
Who should attend
The person keeping the vrat, with family who wish to join. Others can come for the aarti and prasad.
Your tradition
Dates and customs differ across calendars (purnimanta and amanta), and some families keep the puja through the night in four prahars. Tell us your tradition when booking.
Safety
If you are fasting, follow your doctor's advice if you have a health condition, are pregnant or elderly. The floor will be wet, and the puja uses a lit diya.
Questions
How long should I plan for? About 1 hour for the standard ceremony and about 1.5 hours for the extended one, plus a little time to set up.
Is Sawan Shivratri the same as Maha Shivratri? No. Maha Shivratri falls once a year in Phalguna or Magha, depending on the calendar. Masik Shivratri falls every month, and the one in Shravan is called Sawan Shivratri.
Do we have to fast? Fasting is a personal and family choice.
What if our family follows a different sequence? Your family's custom takes priority. Share it when you book and the pandit will follow it where possible.