Shravan Fasting Guide: Dates, Rules, and What to Eat
Part of our complete Farali Food Guide — for the full list of farali ingredients and rules.
Shravan is one of the most observed fasting months in the Hindu calendar, and also one of the most confusing if you're trying to follow the rules properly for the first time, or just need a refresher.
When Does Shravan Fall
Shravan follows the lunar calendar, so the exact dates shift slightly every year, and even the region you're in changes the count. It generally falls between late July and September.
In 2026, the dates differ by calendar system:
- North India (Purnimanta calendar): 30 July – 28 August 2026
- Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Goa (Amanta calendar): 13 August – 11 September 2026
If you're in Gujarat or Maharashtra, the Shravan Somvar (Monday) fasts for 2026 fall on 17 August, 24 August, 31 August, and 7 September.
Since the dates shift every year and vary by region, it's worth checking the specific dates for the current year against your local Panchang rather than assuming it matches last year.
What Makes Shravan Different From Other Fasting Periods
Most fasting occasions, like Ekadashi or Navratri, are about specific days. Shravan is a full month, and within it, certain days carry extra significance, especially Mondays, known as Shravan Somvar.
Some people fast strictly every single day of the month. Others fast only on the Mondays. Some avoid only onion and garlic for the entire month without a full fast. The rules genuinely vary by family and region, so there isn't one single universal version of Shravan.
Shravan Somvar: The Monday Fasting Rule
Mondays in Shravan are considered particularly auspicious, tied to worship of Lord Shiva. Many people who don't fast through the whole month still observe a fast specifically on these Mondays.
The food rules on Shravan Somvar are generally the same as standard farali rules: no grains, no onion, no garlic, relying on rajgira, sabudana, sama chawal, and similar ingredients.
What You Should Not Eat During Shravan
This is searched almost as often as what you can eat, and it's worth being direct about.
Avoid onion and garlic, even on non-fasting days within the month; many people extend this restriction through the entire month, not just fasting days. Avoid non-vegetarian food entirely; this is one of the more consistently followed rules across regions. On strict fasting days, specifically, avoid regular grains like wheat and rice, and stick to farali alternatives.
What to Eat During Shravan Fasting
On fasting days, the same farali rules apply that we've covered in our complete Farali guide: rajgira, sabudana, sama chawal, and singhora atta-based dishes, along with potato, peanuts, and fruits.
On non-fasting days within the month, when many people are just avoiding onion and garlic rather than fasting fully, regular vegetarian food without those two ingredients works fine. This is sometimes called a satvik diet for the month — food that's simple, light, and free of certain ingredients believed to be heavy or stimulating.
A Practical Tip for the Month
If you're fasting every Monday through Shravan, or even daily, having a few ready-to-eat farali snacks at home makes a real difference, especially on days you're busy and don't have time to cook a full khichdi or roll out bhakhri from scratch.
Vyndo's Farali Bhakhri, Jeera Bhakhri, and Farali Khakhra are made for exactly this: no onion, no garlic, fasting-compliant, and ready whenever you need something quick during the month.
Quick Shravan Fasting Checklist
- Confirm the exact Shravan dates for the current year and your region; they shift annually.
- Decide if you're fasting the full month, just Mondays, or just avoiding onion-garlic.
- Stock up on rajgira, sabudana, and sama chawal if you're cooking at home.
- Keep a few ready-to-eat farali snacks on hand for busier days.
- Remember the onion-garlic restriction often extends beyond just fasting days.
