Sawan Shivratri 2024 – Dates and Auspicious Rituals for 16 Somvaar Vrat

Shivratri is the most celebrated and notable festival in Hinduism. ‘Shiv’ means Lord Shiva and ‘Ratri’ means night. Hence, Shivratri means ‘The night of Lord Shiva’. This festival is the 14th day in every Chandra or Lunar month. The festival signifies and celebrates the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. 

According to Panchang, there are twelve Shivratris in a year. Out of these twelve, one is Mahashivratri which is celebrated with great devotion. ‘Maha’ means Great and ‘Shivratri’ means the night of Lord Shiva. Thus, Mahashivratri is the greatest night of Lord Shiva. It is celebrated on the 13th night and 14th day in the month of Phalgun (February - March). The other Shivratri that is equally celebrated is Sawan Shivratri.  

Sawan Shivratri falls on the Chaturdashi tithi (14th day of lunar fortnight) during the Shravan (July - August) month. This year, the month of Sawan will begin from 22nd July, 2024, and will end on 19th August, 2024. Sawan Shivratri is regarded as the blessed and holy day in the month of Sawan. Devotees celebrate Sawan Shivratri to honour the fasts done by Goddess Parvati for Lord Shiva post wedding on every moonless night. 

Devotees who wish to observe a fast on the day of Sawan Shivratri  can check  the details  of Sawan Shivratri 2024 - Date, Shubh Muhurat and Sawan Shivratri Fast and Puja Vidhi to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Sawan Shivratri 2024: Date and Timings

According to the Hindu calendar, the Shiv Puja of Sawan Shivratri falls on 2nd, August, 2024. Here’s the details of Sawan Shivratri Date and Shubh Muhurat to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. 

• Nishit Kaal Puja: 12:06 am to 12:49 am
• Sawan Shivratri Chaturdashi Tithi Begins: At 3:26 pm on August 2nd
• Sawan Shivratri Chaturdashi Tithi Ends: At 3:50 pm on August 3rd
• Ratri First Prahar Puja Time - 07:11 PM to 09:49 PM
• Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time - 09:49 PM to 12:27 AM, Aug 03
• Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time - 12:27 AM to 03:06 AM, Aug 03
• Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time - 03:06 AM to 05:44 AM, Aug 03
• Chaturdashi Tithi Begins - 03:26 PM on Aug 02, 2024
• Chaturdashi Tithi Ends - 03:50 PM on Aug 03, 2024

Rituals for Solah Somvar Vrat

As per ancient Vedic texts, Solah Somvar is the most important ritual dedicated to Lord Shiva. ‘Solah’ means Sixteen and ‘Somvar’ means Monday. So, as the name says, the devotees observe fast and worship Lord Shiva for Sixteen Mondays continuously. The puja can be performed by anyone, irrespective of your age, gender, etc. Usually, people who are facing problems in marital life or in finding the right partner observe Solah Somvaar Vrat. 

To perform this ritual correctly, observing Vrat Vidhi is very important. On the day of Shivratri, devotees hold a full day fast by taking sankalp, and eat only the following day. During the fast, devotees seek Lord Shiva’s blessings to achieve protection, spiritual growth and liberate oneself from the cycle of life and death.  During this ritual of Solah Somvar, one has to observe fast for 16 Mondays consecutively with devotion and complete faith towards Lord Shiva. If you are planning to perform Solah Somvar Vrat then here is the complete Puja Vidhi that can be helpful for you.

• Take a holy bath early in the morning using til (sesame seeds) in water.
• Sprinkle Ganga Jal in your house to purify its atmosphere.
• Decorate the puja room with Dhatura flowers, sandal paste, ghee lamp and incense stick.
• Place the Shiva Linga in a house temple.
• Firstly pray to Lord Ganesha with devotion followed by performing Rudrabhishek Puja to the Shiva Linga.
• Offer Panchamrit prepared by mixing milk, ghee, sugar, curd, Ganga Jal and honey.
• Read Monday Vrat katha which narrates the significance of Solah Somvar with pure heart and devotion.
• Chant Om Namaha Shivay 108 times throughout the day to attract divine energy. 
• Chant Rudra mantra - Om Namah Bhagavatey Rudraya Namah for the fulfilment of desires.
• Conclude the puja in evening by performing Aarti using ghee lamp and by reciting Shiv Mool Mantra i.e. ‘Om Namaha Shivay’.

Conducting Sawan Shivratri Puja 

Sawan Shivratri is a very popular festival wherein thousands of Shiva devotees visit Shiva temples to perform rituals and prayers. So, be it conducting a special Shivratri puja in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or any place in India, almost every temple witnesses a heavy footfall of devotees during Sawan month. 

For those who wish to perform Rudrabhishek or any other Puja in a temple, should book an experienced and learned Pandit for Shiva puja in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore or any part of the country to receive the blessings and divine power from Lord Shiva. 

Conclusion:

On the sacred occasion of Sawan Shivratri, devotees get the divine blessings of Lord Shiva. By doing this puja, one gets aligned to the heavenly and celestial events. So, let us celebrate the festival of Sawan Shivratri with great devotion and get blessed.