Question 1

When is Shravany Upavasa observed?

Accepted Answer

Shravany Upavasa falls on Purnima, the full-moon tithi or lunar day, in Shukla Paksha, the bright half of Shravana. The tithi current at sunrise governs the date, so the Gregorian date changes each year and should be taken from a local Hindu almanac rather than fixed in advance.

Question 2

What is the meaning of Shravany Upavasa?

Accepted Answer

The name Shravany Upavasa Prayashchittarthah indicates a fast undertaken for prayashchitta, meaning religious expiation or atonement. It is therefore associated with repentance, purification, and renewed discipline. No single fault, deity, or prescribed penance can be identified confidently without a more specific textual or regional source.

Question 3

How should Shravany Upavasa be kept?

Accepted Answer

A cautious observance is to make a sincere resolve before sunrise, fast according to personal health and household tradition, pray at the shrine, and perform charity or another act of restitution. Some households may take only water, fruit, or milk, while others keep a stricter fast; no one food rule is confirmed for this observance.

Question 4

Does the date of Shravany Upavasa change every year?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the date changes each year because Shravany Upavasa follows a lunar tithi rather than a fixed Gregorian calendar date. Purnima must be running at sunrise for that day to govern the observance. When the tithi changes near sunrise, the local panchanga should be followed.

Date	Tithi	Lunar month	Governing time
Mon, 19 Aug, 2024	ShuklaPurnima	Shravana	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sat, 9 Aug, 2025	ShuklaPurnima	Shravana	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Fri, 28 Aug, 2026	ShuklaPurnima	Shravana	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Tue, 17 Aug, 2027	ShuklaPurnima	Shravana	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sat, 5 Aug, 2028	ShuklaPurnima	Shravana	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Fri, 24 Aug, 2029	ShuklaPurnima	Shravana	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Tue, 13 Aug, 2030	ShuklaPurnima	Shravana	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sun, 3 Aug, 2031	ShuklaPurnima	Shravana	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sat, 21 Aug, 2032	ShuklaPurnima	Shravana	sunrise (udaya tithi)

Shravany Upavasa

Dates by year