Shravana Masam 2020: Festival Dates & Recipes for Andhra Pradesh

Ashadi Ekadashi heralding the start of Chaturmas and the “favouritest” part of the year for me where festivals abound.

Around the corner is Shravana Masam or the month of Shravan. In states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka that follow the Amavasyant calendar, this year the dates for Shravan are:

Start Date: July 21, 2020
End Date: August 19, 2020

Shravan is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar and is probably its holiest. It is choc-a-bloc with festivals and auspicious occasions. It also ushers in the 4-month long festival season in India that stretches right up to Deepavali or Diwali (mid-November this year).

The intervening period is filled with all manner of festivals and holy days that give me an opportunity to indulge in all my favourite activities; perform and attend assorted poojas, dress up in lovely silk sarees, visit friends and relatives for haldi-kumkum, sing in temples on various auspicious days, attend a range of concerts, and last but not the least, enjoy a vast range of delicacies. 🙂

Read a scientific explanation of why we should fast in Shravan. Eating fish is also prohibited in Shravan, for one simple reason; fish spawn at this time of the year.

Important Festivals in Shravana Masam 2020 and Their Dates

Each region in India has its own set of festivals and here are some that we observe in Andhra Pradesh (which is the state my ancestors are from) and Maharashtra (the state where I grew up and live):

Festival	Date	Significance
Nag Panchami	July 25, 2020	Nag Panchami is the day snakes are worshipped in many parts of the country.
Shravan Somvar / Shravana Somavaram Vratam	July 27, 2020 August 3, 2020 August 10, 2020 August 17, 2020	Shravan Somvaram or Mondays in the month of Shravan are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many devotees fast on these days. It is said that unmarried girls who want to get married should observe the Shravan Somvar fasts.
Mangala Gowri Vratam	July 21, 2020 July 28, 2020 August 4, 2020 August 11, 2020 August 18, 2020	Mangala Gowri Vratam is performed by married women (sumangali) on all Tuesdays in Shravan for the well-being of their husbands. Gowri (or Gauri) is also another name for Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva.
Shravan Shukravaram	July 24, 2020 July 31, 2020 August 7, 2020 August 14, 2020	Shravan Shukravaram Vratam is the puja performed on Fridays in the month of Shravan and is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity.
Varalakshmi Vratam	August 1, 2020	For married women in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, the most important Shravana Shukravaram is the one that falls on the Friday before the full moon (Shravana Pournami Purvasta Shukravarey). This is the day on which Varalakshmi Vratam is performed.
Shravan Pournami Shravan Poornima Narali Purnima Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) Avani Avittam	August 3, 2020	Shravana Paurnami or Shravan Poornima has become popular all over India as Raskha Bandhan, a festival that is essentially from North India and one that celebrates the relationship between a brother and sister. In Maharashtra, it is celebrated by the Koli community or the fisherman community as Narali Poornima. They worship Lord Varuna, the lord of the seas to bless them with a bountiful catch and protect them on rough seas. In Tamil Nadu, this day is also celebrated as Avani Avittam.
Gokulashtami, Krishnashtami, or Sri Krishna Janmashtami	August 11, 2020	This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna; He who gave the world the Bhagwat Gita and as a child was known to steal milk, curds, and butter from all households around him. In Maharashtra, Krishna’s antics as a child are enacted by youngsters (known locally as Govindas) who go around breaking pots of milk and curd tied high above the ground by forming human pyramids.

Some Recipes for Shravana Masam Pooja Naivedyam

Here are a few recipes that you can make during this month.

Kovil, Temple or Koyil Pulihora, Puliyodarai

mayurisjikoni

July 31, 2018Reply

Such delicious dishes, definitely something to look forward to during the Shravan month. Awesome collection of recipes which can be prepared even when its not Shravan. Most Gujaratis either have one normal meal or for the whole month follow a no grain, no pulses, no onion, garlic diet.