5th

Shravan

श्रावण

Hindi/Devanagari

Jul 14–Aug 13 Lunar Leo (♌)

Major Festivals

Janmashtami

जन्माष्टमी

Late Jul–Aug

Birth of Lord Krishna. Celebrated with midnight pujas (Krishna's birth time), fasting, butter offerings (Krishna's favorite food in childhood), and swinging Krishna in cradles. Major 2-day festival across all Hindu communities.

Nag Panchami

नाग पंचमी

Early–Mid Aug

Festival honoring snakes and the serpent deity. Devotees offer milk to snake anthills and worship snake idols. Protects livestock and celebrates life's mysteries.

Auspicious Days for Rituals & Events

✓ Shravan Pournami (Full moon) — Raksha Bandhan, siblings renew sacred bonds

✓ Shravan Amavasai — Janmashtami, the most auspicious day for Krishna devotion

About Shravan

श्रावण (Shravan) is the holiest month, celebrated for Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna. Janmashtami celebrates Krishna's birth at midnight with special pujas, butter offerings, and the playful Krishna swing (Jhoola Leela). Shiva is especially worshipped on Mondays during Shravan, with month-long fasts (Shravan Vrat/Somvar Vrat) and Maha Mantras. Raksha Bandhan (Shravan Pournami) celebrates the sister–brother bond with sacred thread exchange. The month (Leo) represents divine love, playfulness, and devotion. Shravan pulses with spiritual energy—temples overflow with devotees, bhajans fill the air. For diaspora families, Shravan is a month of intense spiritual reunion: grown siblings separated by continents participate in virtual Raksha Bandhan ceremonies, tying sacred threads while video-calling. Indian mothers send 'Rakhi' (sacred threads) abroad to diaspora sons, maintaining familial bonds via IST-coordinated timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Janmashtami 2026?

Janmashtami 2026 falls on August 15–16, 2026 (Shravan Amavasai lunar date). Krishna's birth is celebrated at midnight on the 8th lunar day of the dark fortnight (Amavasai Paksha) in Shravan. The midnight time is considered most auspicious, making Janmashtami a 24-hour festival that peaks at midnight.

What is Raksha Bandhan?

Raksha Bandhan (Shravan Pournami) is celebrated to honor the sister–brother bond. Sisters tie a sacred thread (Rakhi) on brothers' wrists, symbolizing protection and care. Brothers vow to protect their sisters. The festival is quintessentially Indian, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists alike. Even symbolic 'sisters' and 'brothers' (not always biological) participate, extending the concept of family beyond blood relations. The ritual renews the bond of protection and affection.

How do diaspora siblings celebrate Raksha Bandhan across time zones?

Diaspora siblings separated by continents coordinate Raksha Bandhan via video calls. Sisters in USA video-call brothers in India, tie Rakhi 'virtually' during the auspicious Pournami time (IST), and exchange blessings. Some sisters send Rakhis to brothers abroad via post, timing their arrival for Raksha Bandhan. Creative diaspora families tie Rakhis on video conference calls or exchange digital Rakhis online. The tradition persists strongly—many consider Raksha Bandhan a non-negotiable family event despite physical separation.

View Shravan in Other Languages

Tamil Telugu Kannada Gujarati Rajasthani