Sawan Shivratri 2026 in Chennai falls on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Nishita (midnight) moment is 12:14 AM GMT+5:30.
The Shivratri of Sawan — the month most beloved of Lord Shiva — and the most important of the twelve monthly Shivratris after Maha Shivaratri itself. Devotees fast, keep night vigil, and perform jalabhishek: pouring Ganga water, milk, honey and bael leaves over the Shivalinga through the night, with the nishita (midnight) worship shown here as its heart.
The climax of the Kanwar Yatra: millions of kanwariyas walk from the Ganga at Haridwar, Gaumukh and Sultanganj carrying holy water to offer at their home Shiva temples on this night. Temples across North India — Kashi Vishwanath, Baidyanath, Neelkanth — see their largest crowds of the year.
The whole of Sawan is Shiva’s month: each Monday (Sawan Somwar) is a fasting day, and many women observe Mangala Gauri vrats on Tuesdays. This date follows the North Indian (Purnimanta) Shravana; in Amanta-following regions the same night is counted in Ashadha, and their own Shravana masik Shivratri falls about a month later.