- Nag Panchami and Ashtanag Puja - July 29
- Death Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore - August 8
- Raksha Bandhan - August 9
- Janmashtami - August 16
- Nanda Utsav - August 17
The Amavasya in Bengali Shravan Month is on July 24
The next month in Bengali Calendar is the Bhadrapad month.
Shrabon: The Sacred Fourth Month of the Bengali Hindu Calendar
Meaning and Etymology
Shrabon, also spelled Srabon, derives its name from the moon constellation “Shravana” and marks the fourth month of the traditional Bengali Hindu calendar. Falling roughly between mid-July and mid-August of the Gregorian calendar, Shrabon arrives at the height of the monsoon season, ushering in heavy rains, lush greenery, and a sense of renewal across Bengal’s countryside.
Cultural and Seasonal Significance
As the monsoon reaches its peak, Shrabon plays a vital role in Bengal’s agrarian society. The rains replenish rice paddies, sustain water reservoirs, and foster vibrant plant life—symbolizing abundance and growth. Artists, poets, and musicians have long celebrated the “rainy month,” depicting pitter-patter rhythms and mist-shrouded landscapes in songs and verses. In rural villages, children splash in flooded fields, and families gather under thatched roofs, fostering communal bonds strengthened by shared shelter from the downpour.
Importance in Hindu Religious Life
Shrabon holds deep spiritual resonance for Bengali Hindus. It is considered a month of purification, introspection, and devotion. The continuous rain is viewed as the earth’s cleansing force, washing away impurities and inviting devotees to cleanse their minds and hearts. Temples often ring with bells and chants through the drenching rains, as worshippers seek the blessings of deities linked to fertility, protection, and wisdom.
Major Festivals and Observances
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Manasa Devi Puja
Celebrated primarily by women, Manasa Devi Puja honors the serpent goddess Manasa for protection against snakebite and for marital harmony. Devotees prepare clay images, decorate them with flowers, and chant mantras. Offerings of sweets and betel leaves are made at home shrines and village pandals. -
Nag Panchami and Ashtanag Puja
On Nag Panchami (the fifth lunar day), snakes are worshipped to avert danger and seek divine safeguarding. In some regions of Bengal, Ashtanag Puja expands this reverence to eight serpent deities. Milk, rice offerings, and turmeric-dipped images symbolize gratitude for life’s continuity and respect for nature’s hidden forces. -
Raksha Bandhan (in certain years)
When the lunar calendar aligns, Raksha Bandhan—celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters—falls in Shrabon. Sisters tie protective threads (rakhis) on brothers’ wrists, and both exchange blessings and gifts. -
Janmashtami (in certain years)
The birth of Lord Krishna is observed with midnight vigils, devotional singing (bhajans), and dance dramas. Homes and temples are adorned with lights, and special sweets such as makhan (butter) and peda are distributed, recalling Krishna’s childhood exploits. -
Nanda Utsav (in certain years)
Commemorating the foster-mother of Krishna, Nanda Utsav features folk performances, rural fairs, and communal feasts. Devotees reenact the joy of Krishna’s birth in the cowherd village, underscoring themes of maternal love and community celebration. -
Guru Purnima (in certain years)
When it falls in Shrabon, Guru Purnima honors spiritual teachers and lineages. Disciples express gratitude through offerings, chanting of sacred texts, and charitable acts. Ashrams host discourses, reinforcing the guru-shishya (teacher-student) tradition integral to Hindu practice. -
Death Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore
On August 8 each year, Bengalis observe the passing of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Poets, scholars, and citizens pay homage by reciting his works, holding cultural programs, and visiting his ancestral home at Santiniketan, celebrating his enduring legacy in literature, music, and art.
Fasting and Rituals
Many devotees undertake partial or full fasts during auspicious days in Shrabon. Fasting practices vary: some observe nirjala (water-only) fasts, while others permit fruits and milk. Morning rituals often include taking holy water from the Ganges or local rivers. Women may apply vermilion and turmeric on doorways for protection, light oil lamps before dawn, and offer blossoms plucked from monsoon-drenched gardens. Recitation of the Sanskrit hymn “Manasa Stotra” or verses from the “Bhagavata Purana” is common, fostering devotion amid the rhythmic backdrop of rain.
Artistic Expressions
The rains inspire a wealth of creative output. Painters render the emerald hue of paddy fields, sculptors craft serpent idols from clay, and folk dancers perform the jaunty “Raibeshe” to honor shepherd Krishna. In Kolkata and surrounding towns, cultural centers host recitals of Tagore’s monsoon songs (Borshayer Gaan), blending nostalgia with reverence for nature’s cycles.
Social Customs and Community Life
Monsoon markets thrive in Shrabon, offering seasonal fruits like jackfruit and lychee. Villagers gather for “bhetghat” (riverfront meetings), exchanging news and provisions by boat. Roadside tea stalls brim with patrons sipping garam cha (hot tea) and nibbling chanachur as rain drums on tin roofs. These everyday moments weave a tapestry of shared experience, uniting people across generations.
Conservation and Environmental Awareness
In recent years, Shrabon has also become a time to reflect on water conservation and sustainable agriculture. Workshops on rainwater harvesting, organic farming, and preserving wetlands take place alongside religious events, merging tradition with modern ecological consciousness.
Final Thoughts
Shrabon stands as a multifaceted celebration of life’s interdependence—between humans and nature, past and present, earth and sky. Through its festivals, fasts, and rituals, the month invites introspection and gratitude for the monsoon’s life-giving waters. Whether through the serene worship of Manasa Devi, the joyous beat of Raibeshe, or the solemn homage to Tagore, Shrabon remains an enduring testament to Bengal’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.