5th

Shravan

શ્રાવણ

Gujarati

Jul 14–Aug 13 Lunar Leo (♌)

Major Festivals

Janmashtami

જન્મષ્ટમી

Late Jul–Aug

Birth of Lord Krishna. Celebrated with midnight pujas, butter offerings, and sweet preparations. Major festival across all Hindu communities.

Nag Panchami

નાગ પંચમી

Early–Mid Aug

Festival honoring snakes and serpent deity. Devotees offer milk to snake anthills, honoring life's mysterious and protective forces.

Auspicious Days for Rituals & Events

✓ Shravan Pournami (Full moon) — Raksha Bandhan, sibling bond renewal

✓ Shravan Amavasai — Janmashtami, Krishna's birth, deeply auspicious

About Shravan

શ્રાવણ (Shravan) is the holiest month, celebrated for Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva. Janmashtami marks Krishna's birth; Nag Panchami honors snakes. Shiva is worshipped on Mondays; many undertake month-long fasts. Raksha Bandhan (Shravan Pournami) celebrates sibling bonds with sacred thread exchange. The month (Leo) represents divine love, playfulness, and loyalty. Diaspora Gujarati families participate in Janmashtami midnight pujas, butter-offering ceremonies, and Raksha Bandhan sibling celebrations via synchronized video calls with family across continents.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Janmashtami 2026?

Janmashtami 2026 falls on August 15–16, 2026 (Shravan Amavasai midnight). Krishna's birth is celebrated at midnight when the eighth lunar day transitions to the ninth.

What is Makhan Chor (Krishna the butter thief)?

Krishna Makhan Chor (butter thief) is a beloved childhood episode. Young Krishna would sneak into villagers' homes and steal butter (Makhan), charming everyone despite his 'theft'. The act symbolizes Krishna's playful divine nature (Leela) and his lovable mischievousness. Celebrations involve butter and yogurt offerings, reenacting his antics through ritual and prayer.

How do diaspora Gujaratis celebrate Janmashtami?

Diaspora Gujaratis organize midnight Krishna pujas at temples, prepare Krishna's favorite foods (butter-based sweets, curd rice), and participate in Jhoola ceremonies (Krishna swinging). Families coordinate with India via video calls, conducting simultaneous pujas at IST midnight for shared celebration. Children dress as Krishna, maintaining cultural identity through festive participation.

View Shravan in Other Languages

Tamil Telugu Hindi Kannada Rajasthani