India observes final Sawan Monday and Putrada Ekadashi

On August 24, 2026, devotees across India are observing the final Monday of the holy month of Sawan. This day is marked by a rare religious conjunction, as it coincides with Putrada Ekadashi, a day dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This alignment allows followers to seek blessings from both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu simultaneously.

Major Shiva temples, including Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi, Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, and temples in Puri, Etah, Ahmedabad, and Muzaffarpur, have seen massive crowds. In Varanasi, officials reported over 60,000 devotees visiting the temple by 5:00 AM. Security and crowd management measures have been implemented at various sites to accommodate the influx of pilgrims performing Jal Abhishek and other sacred rituals.

Religious traditions for the day include fasting, chanting mantras like ‘Om Namah Shivaya’, and performing Deepdan (lighting lamps) near Tulsi plants or in Vishnu temples. The day is considered highly auspicious due to several celestial alignments, including Preeti Yoga and Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga.