Shravana Begins (North)

Śrāvaṇa (Sanskrit: श्रावण), (shraavan), (saavan), (sawan) is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar. In India's national civil calendar, Śrāvaṇa is the fifth month of the Hindu year, beginning in late July from the first day of the full moon and ending in the third week of August, the day of the next full moon. In the Tamil calendar, it is known as Āvani and is the fifth month of the solar year. In lunar religious calendars, Śrāvaṇa begins on the new moon and is the fifth month of the year. Srabon (Bengali: শ্রাবণ; also spelt Sravan) is the fourth month of the Bengali calendar. This is also the 2nd month of Varsha (rainy) season.

The month of Shravana is very important for the entire sub-continent of India as it is connected to the arrival of the South-West monsoons. For many Hindus, the month of Shraavana is a month of fasting. Many Hindus will fast every Monday to the Lord Shiva and/or every Tuesday to the Goddess Parvati. Fasting on Tuesdays of this month is known locally as "Mangala Gauri Vrat".

Festivals:

Shravana is considered to be a holy month in the Hindu calendar due to the many festivals that are celebrated during this time:

- Krishna Janmashtami
- Raksha Bandhan
- Narali Poornima
- Nag Panchami
- Basava Panchami
- Avani Avittam
- Shri Baladeva birthday
- Gamha Purnima
- Kajari Purnima
- Pavitropana
- Pavitra Ekadashi
- Jandhyam Poornima
- Salono
- Shravani Mela

Being the period when the Monsoon hits the over heated plains of India, the season is celebrated in various texts, such as Sanskrit text, Meghaduta by Kalidasa. Many films too have been made with Sawan in their title, like Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, (1969), Sawan Bhadon (1970), Solva Sawan (1979), Sawan Ko Aane Do (1979), Pyaasa Sawan (1980), etc.

Also in Hindustani classical music, many song are theme around, Radha-Krishna during the rainy season, plus Bollywood songs, e.g., Sawan ki Ritu Aai, Sawan ka Mahina Pawan kare Sor.

During Shraavana the Hindu Community in the regions of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka practice Vegetarian Diet. This is because in the Monsoon season it is difficult to get sea food at this time of the year and it is thought that most fish spawn during this period and abstaining from fishing in Shraavana will lead to increased fish throughout the year.