Shravan 2026 began across India on Thursday with millions of devotees visiting Shiva temples from early morning to offer prayers and perform jalabhishek. The holy month, also known as Sawan 2026 or Shravan month 2026, is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and will continue from July 30 to August 28, 2026. Long queues of worshippers were reported from major temples across the country as devotees sought blessings for peace, prosperity, health, and spiritual strength.How Are Devotees Celebrating Shravan 2026?The beginning of Shravan 2026 witnessed large gatherings of Mahadev devotees at prominent Shiva temples India. In Patna, Bihar, devotees visited various Shiva temples early in the morning to perform jalabhishek and offer water, milk, flowers, fruits, and sweets to the Shiva Lingam.In Haridwar, Uttarakhand, thousands of Kanwariyas carrying holy Ganga water began their onward journey to different Shiva temples as part of the Kanwar Yatra. Authorities have deployed a large number of police personnel and installed high-tech CCTV surveillance along the pilgrimage routes to ensure the safety of devotees.Which Major Shiva Temples Witnessed Heavy Crowds?One of the largest Shiva devotee gatherings was reported at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, where pilgrims from different parts of India arrived to offer Shravan prayers. Temple authorities said footfall increased significantly from midnight onwards.In Rishikesh, thousands of devotees visited the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, while in Old Delhi, worshippers gathered at the historic Gauri Shankar Temple for special rituals marking the first day of Shravan festival. Similar scenes were witnessed in Noida’s Sector 19 Sanatan Temple and Ayodhya, where devotees visited the Ram Temple and nearby Shiva temples.[Watch the Full Video on Instagram ] Why Is Shravan Month Considered So Important?The Shravan month 2026 is regarded as one of the most sacred periods in the Hindu calendar. During this month, devotees observe fasts, perform special pujas, chant Shiva mantras, and offer water and milk to Lord Shiva. The period is associated with devotion, self-discipline, spiritual growth, and inner reflection.Several important observances fall during Sawan 2026, including Shravan Shivratri, Hariyali Amavasya, and the Kanwar Yatra. Among these, Shravan Shivratri is considered the most significant festival dedicated to Lord Shiva worship.What Can Devotees Expect During Shravan 2026?Temple authorities across India have made special arrangements to manage the expected increase in devotees, particularly on Shravan Mondays (Sawan Somwar), which traditionally witness the highest crowds. Additional security personnel, crowd management systems, and medical facilities have been deployed at major pilgrimage centres.As Shravan 2026 continues until August 28, millions of devotees are expected to visit Shiva temples India and participate in religious rituals throughout the holy month, making it one of the largest Hindu festival 2026 celebrations across the country.
