This Hindu year, there is an Adhik Masam (extra month) and it is also an Adhik Shravana Masam. This extra month lasts from July 18, 2023 to August 16, 2023. However, the actual Shravana Masam or Nija Sravana Masam, with all the festivals and pujas, is from August 17, 2023 to September 15, 2023.
These dates apply to states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka that follow the Amavasyant calendar.
More About Shravana Masam: The Holiest Month of the Hindu Calendar
Shravan is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar and probably the holiest; choc-a-bloc as it is with festivals and auspicious occasions; and it involves fasting and feasting in equal measure.
As to why we fast in Shravan, you can find a scientific explanation in this article. In addition, we do not eat seafood in Shravan and that is for one simple reason; it is breeding time.
Dates for Important Festivals in Nija Shravana Masam 2023 (as observed in Andhra, Telangana, and Maharashtra)
| Festival | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Nag Panchami | August 21, 2023 | On Nag Panchami, people worship snakes in many parts of India. |
| Shravan Somvar, Shravana Somavaram Vratam | August 21, 2023 August 28, 2023 September 4, 2023 September 11, 2023 | On Shravan Somvaram or Mondays in Shravan, devotees pray to Lord Shiva. In addition, many people fast; especially unmarried girls wishing to get married soon. |
| Mangala Gowri Vratam | August 22, 2023 August 29, 2023 September 5, 2023 September 12, 2023 | Married women observe Mangala Gowri Vratam on all Tuesdays in Shravan for the wellbeing of their husbands. |
| Shravan Shukravaram | August 18, 2023 August 25, 2023 September 1, 2023 September 8, 2023 September 15, 2023 | On Fridays in Shravan, married women perform Shravan Shukravaram Vratam and pray to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. |
| Maha Varalakshmi Vratam | August 25, 2023 | Many married women in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu perform Maha Varalakshmi Vratam on the Friday before the full moon in Shravan. |
| Shravan Pournami, Shravan Poornima, Narali Purnima, Raksha Bandhan, Avani Avittam | August 30, 2023 | People celebrate Shravan Poornima as Raskha Bandhan to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters. In Maharashtra, Kolis (the fisherman community) celebrate this day as Narali Poornima. They pray to Lord Varuna, the lord of the seas, to bless them with a bountiful catch and protect them on rough seas. In Tamil Nadu, people celebrate this day as Avani Avittam. |
| Gokulashtami, Krishnashtami, Sri Krishna Janmashtami | September 6, 2023 | Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna; He who gave the world the Bhagwat Gita. Krishna as a child was said to steal milk, curds, and butter from households around him. To mimic this, In Maharashtra, youngsters (known locally as Govindas) form human pyramids, and break pots of milk and curd tied high above the ground. |
Some Recipes for Shravana Masam Pooja Naivedyam
Rice Recipes
Chintapandu Pulihora | Tamarind Rice | Puliyogare | Puliyodharai
Tamarind Rice or Chintapandu Pulihora is a must for any festive occasion in Andhra Pradesh. In this recipe, I have tried to use precise measures and readymade tamarind paste so that you can replicate the exact recipe.
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Nimmakaya Pulihora, Elumichai Sadam, Lemon Rice
This is the recipe for Nimmakaya Pulihora or Lemon Rice from Andhra Pradesh. This one-dish meal, called Elumichai Sadam in Tamil Nadu, is crowd pleaser and very easy to make.
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Nuvvula Chintapandu Pulihora
This is a variation of the popular tamarind rice that uses Nuvvula Podi (roasted sesame powder) to add another layer of flavour to Chintapandu Pulihora.
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Kovil Pulihora | Koyil Puliyodarai | Tamarind Rice as Made in a Temple
This is the recipe for Kovil Pulihora (Koyil Puliyodarai) or Tamarind Rice as made in a temple. This recipe varies from the traditional tamarind rice we make at home and so needs a post of its own.
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Gongura Pulihora | Gongura Annam | Andhra Roselle Leaves Rice
Gongura Pulihora is rice flavoured with a spicy red sorrel leaf paste. This is a delicacy in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
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Curd Rice | Daddojanam | Thayir Sadam
A well-made Curd Rice is soft and creamy with just the hint of ginger and chilly. This recipe will help you make the perfect, creamy Curd Rice (called Daddojanam in Andhra Pradesh and Thayir Sadam in Tamil Nadu).
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Coconut Rice | Kobbari Annam | Thengai Sadam | Tenginakayi Anna
The delicious South Indian Coconut Rice is easy to make. Just mix some lightly sautéd grated coconut and tempering in steamed rice, and this dish is ready. Called Kobbari Annam in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Thengai Sadam in Tamil Nadu and Tenginakayi Anna in Karnataka, all you need to enjoy this mellow, vegan and gluten-free rice dish is some papad on the side.PS: Coconut Rice tastes best when you use Coconut Oil. 🙂
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Sundal | Guggillu Recipes
Guggillu | Kondakadalai Sundal | Chickpea Sundal
Sundal or Guggillu are an intrinsic part of various poojas in South India. They are also a favoured snack. Kondakadalai Sundal or Chickpea Sundal is perhaps one of the most popular variations of this vegan, protein-rich snack. Called Guggillu in Telugu, this hearty dish is popular with the young and old alike.
PS: You can make this dish gluten-free by just omitting the asafoetida in the tempering.
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Senagala Guggillu | Kothu Kadalai Sundal | Kala Chana Sundal | Black Chickpeas Sundal
Sundal or Guggillu is an integral part of pujas in South India. We make it with a variety of whole lentils and this version is made Kala Chana or Senagalu as we call it in Telugu. Sundal also makes for a protein-rich snack.
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Peanut Sundal | Verkadalai Sundal | Palli Guggillu | Verusenaga Guggillu
Peanut Sundal is perhaps my favourite sundal of all. Just add some grated coconut to boiled peanuts and add a tempering of udad dal, mustard seeds, and red chillies. Voila! You have an instant protein-rich snack. This delicious dish is called Verkadalai Sundal in Tamil Nadu, and Palli Guggillu or Verusenaga Guggillu in Andhra Pradesh.Note: This dish can be made gluten-free by just omitting the Asafoetida.
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Sweet Corn Sundal | Mokkajonna Guggillu: Navratri Recipe
Sweet Corn Sundal | Mokkajonna Guggillu is a must for Navratri and is essentially boiled sweet corn seasoned with coconut.
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Kollu Poriyal or Sundal, Muthira Upperi or Thoran – Weight Loss Recipe
Horse Gram (Ulava in Telugu, Kulith in Marathi, Kollu in Tamil, and Muthira in Malayalam) is a power-packed lentil that is iron- and protein-rich, helps lower blood pressure, manage weight, and control diabetes. And this is just what I have discovered so far. 🙂
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Traditional Sweet Recipes
Timmanam | Kobbari Payasam for Atla Taddi
This is the recipe for Timmanam is a very simple kheer-like dish made with rice, coconut, milk and sugar. Also called Kobbari Payasam, it is an important dish for Atla Taddi, Andhra’s own Karva Chauth.
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Saggubiyyam Paramannam | Sabudana Kheer | Javvarisi Payasam
This is the recipe for a creamy Saggubiyyam Paramannam (called Sabudana Kheer in Maharashtra and Javvarisi Payasam in Tamil Nadu). Made with sago, milk, and sugar, this rich pudding is just what is needed to celebrate a festival.
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Semiya Kheer | Semiya Payasam | Vermicelli Kheer
This is the recipe for Semiya Payasam (also called Semiya Kheer) that is a traditional favourite in India for festive occasions. Made with thick vermicelli, it is creamy, rich, and simply delicious.
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Bellam Paramannam | Rice, Milk and Jaggery Kheer from Andhra Pradesh
Bellam Paramannam is a traditional kheer made in Andhra Pradesh with rice, milk and jaggery. It is made for all important festivals and at weddings.
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Badam Halwa – Ugadi Special Recipe
Badam Halwa is a rich dessert made with ground almonds, sugar, and ghee.
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Rava Sheera | Suji ka Halwa (Without Milk)
Suji ka Halwa or Rava Sheera is a sweet that is made as prasad almost all across India. There are two versions; with and without milk. For puja days, I make it without milk so that it lasts long.
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Pineapple Kesari or Pineapple Sheera
Pineapple Kesari or Pineapple Sheera is the traditional Suji Halwa with pieces of pineapple in it. It is a great variation to make and is a nice twist to a traditional favourite.
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Kasi Halwa | Budida Gummadikaya or Poosinakai Halwa | Pethe ka Halwa
Kasi Halwa is South India’s equivalent to the North Indian Lauki Halwa (or Dudhi Halwa as it is called in Maharashtra). Made with Ash Gourd, this halwa is very easy to make and delicious while being light on the stomach.
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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.
July 25, 2020
August 1, 2020
August 8, 2020
August 15, 2020 these dates falling on saturdays but posted here as sravana sukravaras, please correct.
Thank you. I corrected them.
The most important varalakshmi vratham date has not been corrected
Awesome and Amazing
Thank you. I hope it helps you.