The Hindu month of Shravan—called Sawan—is the most sacred period in Goa, deeply devoted to Lord Shiva. Following the Amanta calendar (used in Western India), Shravan in Goa begins on Friday, July 25, 2025, and ends on Saturday, August 23, 2025
Goans observe Shravan with deep spiritual discipline:
- Shravan Somvar Fasts (Mondays): Devoted to Lord Shiva; Purva-nava Somvars include July 28, August 4, 11, and 18.
- Mangala Gauri Vrat (Tuesdays): Married women perform rituals for marital bliss and family well-being.
- Dattatreya Pooja (Thursdays) and Vara Lakshmi Puja (Fridays) are also observed in many households.
- Aaitar Pooja (Sundays): Sun worship by married women for husbands’ longevity; families prepare special offerings and rangoli near the Tulsi shrine.
Food, Fast & Lifestyle Practices
- Most households adhere to a vegetarian, sattvic diet, avoiding onions, garlic, fish, meat, and alcohol throughout the month.
- Shravan Somvar Fasting: Devotees either abstain completely (nirjala) or follow partial fasts with restricted foods like sabudana, nuts, and milk.
- Many also observe maun vrata (silence fast), charity, and abstain from cutting nails or hair during this period.
Temple Culture in Goa During Shravan
Temples across Goa especially come alive during Shravan:
- On Shravan Mondays, devotees gather at temples like Shri Naguesh in Ponda, taking part in abhishek, bhajan, aarti, and annasantarpana (free meals for visitors). Pandals carry the deity in palanquin processions, and devotional music fills the air.
- Many homes perform daily Naivedyam prayers, offer water & milk to the Shivlinga, and chant Om Namah Shivaya, Maha Mrityunjaya, and other mantras for spiritual upliftment
Cultural Significance: Connecting Land, Sky & Sea
- Narali Poornima (Aug 9) marks the reopening of the fishing season. Goan fishing communities offer coconuts to the sea, seek blessings of Lord Varuna, and pray for a bountiful catch.
- Traditional sweets like Patoleo are prepared on Sundays and festivals like Nag Panchami and Hariyali Teej, often offered as prasadam to familial deities
Spiritual Essence of Shravan
Shravan is more than a set of rituals, it’s a time for inner renewal, purification, and devotion. It coincides with the lush monsoon season and symbolizes a divine connection to nature, breath, and heritage. It remains a transformative time for Goans rooted in silence, fasting, prayer, and discipline.
