August rarely lets up this year. Almost the entire month sits inside Shravan, which means you’re looking at a stretch of fasts, vrats, and celebrations that runs practically wall to wall. If you’ve been trying to keep track of what’s coming when, here’s the full lineup in order.
August 10 (Monday) — Sawan’s Second Somwar
The second of the four Sawan Mondays, and for many devotees the point where the month’s rhythm really settles in. Fasting, temple visits, and abhishek continue as they did on the first Monday, with zodiac-specific offerings often recommended for this particular Somwar.
August 11 (Tuesday) — Sawan Shivratri
A Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi that falls squarely inside Shravan, making it the most significant of the year’s twelve Masik Shivratris. Night-long vigils, four-prahar abhishek, and Mahamrityunjay chanting are the centerpiece of the observance.
August 15 (Saturday) — Hariyali Teej and Independence Day
Hariyali Teej, dedicated to Parvati and celebrated especially by married women with swings, mehendi, and green attire symbolizing the monsoon, lands on the same date as Independence Day this year — giving the day a double significance for many households.
August 17 (Monday) — Nag Panchami
Falling on a Sawan Monday this year, Nag Panchami is dedicated to serpent deities and traditionally involves offering milk at snake shrines or images, along with prayers for protection from Kaal Sarp-related doshas.
August 21 (Friday) — Varalakshmi Vratam
Observed mainly in South Indian households, this vrat honors Varalakshmi, a form of Goddess Lakshmi associated with granting boons, and is typically performed by married women on the Friday before the Shravana full moon.
August 24 (Monday) — Sawan’s Final Somwar
The last of the four Sawan Mondays, often treated as the culmination of the month’s fasting cycle. Many devotees who observed all four Somwars perform a concluding puja or udyapan on this date.
August 26 (Wednesday) — Onam
Kerala’s harvest festival, marking the homecoming of King Mahabali, celebrated with Pookalam floral designs, Sadya feasts, and boat races across the state.
August 28 (Friday) — Raksha Bandhan
Falling on Shravana Purnima, this marks both the emotional highlight of sibling bonds across North India and the symbolic end of the Shravan month itself, since the full moon closes out the lunar cycle.
August 30 (Sunday) — Kajari Teej
Also called Satudi Teej or Bundi Teej, this one is observed a fortnight after Hariyali Teej, primarily by women in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, praying for their husbands’ well-being and long life.
What’s Coming Right After
Once August closes out, don’t put the calendar away just yet — Krishna Janmashtami follows in early September, and it’s one of the biggest festivals of the year. We’ll cover the exact date, muhurat, and puja details separately, since it deserves its own space rather than a rushed mention here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the biggest festival in August 2026? Raksha Bandhan on August 28 tends to draw the widest participation, though Sawan Shivratri on August 11 is considered spiritually the most significant for Shiva devotees specifically.
Are all four Sawan Somwars in August this year? The second, third, and fourth fall on August 10, 17, and 24 respectively, with the first Somwar having occurred in late July.
Does Janmashtami fall in August 2026? No — this year it falls in early September, just after Shravan ends, so it’s worth watching for even though it’s technically outside this month’s calendar.