The month of Sawan is considered dedicated to Lord Shiva in Hinduism. This month is a time for devotion, fasting, and worship. Especially on Sawan Mondays, Shiva devotees observe fasts and anoint the Shivalinga to please Bholenath (Lord Shiva). In the year 2025, the first Monday of Sawan falls on July 14th, which will be particularly significant for devotees.
How many Mondays will there be in Sawan this time?
According to the Panchang (Hindu calendar), this year, the Sawan month begins on July 11th and will last until August 8th. This means the Sawan month will be 29 days long. During this period, there will be four Mondays. The first Monday will be on July 14th, the second on July 21st, the third on July 28th, and the fourth and final Monday will be celebrated on August 4th.
Auspicious timings and date of the first Monday
The fast for the first Monday of Sawan is on July 14th. According to the Panchang, the Chaturdashi Tithi (the fourteenth day of the waning moon) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the Sawan month begins at 1:02 AM on July 14th and ends at 11:59 PM on the same day. This period is considered the best time for fasting and worship. Devotees will observe the first Monday fast on this day and worship the Shivalinga.
How to perform the Sawan Monday Puja
There is a special method for performing the puja on Sawan Mondays, as described in ancient traditions and scriptures. Let's find out the entire process—
Wake up during Brahma Muhurta and take a bath
On the day of Sawan Monday, wake up early in the morning, take a bath, and wear clean clothes. Try to use water mixed with Gangajal (water from the Ganges) for the bath. After bathing, take a vow to observe the fast and clean the place of worship properly.
Prepare the place of worship
Install the idol or picture of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Ganesha for the puja. Sprinkle Gangajal at the place of worship and place the Shiva family on a white or yellow cloth on a chauki (a small wooden platform).
Offer water and Panchamrit to the Shivalinga
First, perform the abhishek (anointing) of the Shivalinga with Gangajal. Then, offer Panchamrit made of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar. After this, bathe it again with Gangajal.
Offer puja materials
Offer Bel Patra (wood apple leaves), Dhatura (thorn apple), Bhang (cannabis), white flowers, white sandalwood, rice, fruits, sweets, and coconut to the Shivalinga. Light a ghee lamp and show incense. It is believed that white items are very dear to Lord Shiva.
Chant mantras
Chant the mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' 108 times. In addition, you can also chant the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra or the Shiva Panchakshari Mantra. Meditate on Lord Shiva while chanting the mantras.
Observe the fast and consume fruits
On this day, the person fasting should not consume grains. Consume fruits or only water and fruits throughout the day. Worship Lord Shiva throughout the fast.
Perform Shiva Puja again in the evening
Perform Shiva Puja again in the evening. Light lamps and perform Aarti (a devotional ritual). Then offer Arghya (an offering) to the moon. This process is done at the time of moon sighting in the night.
Break the fast the next day
The Sawan Monday fast is broken the next day, i.e., on Tuesday, after sunrise. Before breaking the fast, perform the Aarti of Lord Shiva and donate food, clothes, or Dakshina (donation) to Brahmins or the needy.
Significance of Sawan Mondays
According to mythological beliefs, worshiping Lord Shiva on Sawan Mondays helps unmarried girls find a desired husband, brings happiness to married life, and maintains prosperity in the home. This fast is considered especially fruitful and is believed to give peace and the joy of having children to the devotees.
