Sawan Somwar Fasting Rules: Sawan Somwar 2026: Food rules, do’s and don’ts to follow and easy vrat dishes to prepare during the month-long celebration |

Indian festivals are known for their vibrancy, positivity, and the cultural amalgamation of flavours and rituals. One such month-long festivity is of Sawan month. The holy month of Sawan/Shravan is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to Hindu calendar, this year the month began on July 30 and will end on August 28 2026. 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 2026

August 3, 10, 17, 24

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. 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.

Easy dishes to enjoy during Sawan Somwar fasting

Shakarkandi ChaatTo make this healthy dish, boil and dice 1 cup sweet potatoes, and then top them with sendha namak, pepper, pomegranate seeds, coriander leaves, 1/2 cup curd, and lemon juice. Enjoy. Sabudana TikkiFor this indulgent dish, you need to soak 1 cup sabudana and then add 1 boiled and mashed potato to it along with coriander leaves,2 tbsp kuttu flour, salt, and pepper. Mix well and shape them into tikkis and then cook on a tawa using little ghee until they turn golden and crisp.Kuttu ki PooriFor this dish, sieve 1 cup kuttu flour and add 1 boiled and mashed potatoes to it. Use warm water to knead a soft dough. Roll out pooris and deep fry them in ghee. Serve hot with aloo or paneer curry.Paneer CurryTo make this dish, roast 1/2 cup cashews and 2 tomatoes in ghee along with cumin, black pepper and coriander seeds. Blend them into a smooth puree and then cook them in ghee along with coriander powder, cumin powder, and turmeric powder. Add sendha namak to taste and 1 cup pan-fried paneer cubes. Bring it to a boil and serve hot.

Vratwale Aloo RasedaarThis is one of the most famous dishes and to make it you need 4 boiled and diced potatoes, 1 cup tomato puree, spices, and salt. Make a tempering of ghee, cumin seeds, and green chillies, to which add tomato puree and spices, cook for 10-12 minutes. Add salt and potato dices. Cook for another 10-12 minutes with 1/2 cup water and serve hot. Sabudana KhichdiFor this dish, heat ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds and green chillies. Saute and then add peanuts and chopped tomatoes. Cook until ghee separates and then add soaked sabundana, mix well. Add sendha namak to taste and cook for 5-7 minutes. Top it with coriander leaves and serve hot.Kuttu ka CheelaThis one makes for a healthy breakfast and to make it, you need kuttu flour, curd, cumin powder, and sendha namak. Mix it all and then add finely chopped capscium and carrot. Let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes and then heat a greased pan, pour the batter to form a cheela, cook using enough oil or ghee and serve hot with chutney of your choice.Makhana kheerFor this sweet dish, boil 2 cups of full-fat milk, and to this add 1 cup roasted makhana and then cook until it thickens. Add sugar to taste, and 1/4 tsp cardamom powder. Bring it to a boil and serve hot or cold.Kheera RaitaHeat 2 tbsp ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds, and 1 green chilli, saute well. Add 1 cup grated cucumber and saute until the moisture dries up. Now, beat curd with powdered sugar and add the sauteed cucumber to it. Mix well. Add black pepper, and cumin powder on top. Serve.Sabudana KheerFor this sweet dish, boil 2 cups of full-fat milk, and to this add 1/4 cup washed sabudana and cook until the sabudana pearls soften. Add sugar to taste, and 1/4 tsp cardamom powder. Bring it to a boil and serve hot or cold with a topping of nuts.