The month of Sawan this year will last from July 30, 2026, to August 28, 2026. During this period, the signs of three major planets—Venus, Mars, and Mercury—will change.
According to the Hindu Panchang, Venus will enter the sign of Virgo on August 1, Mars will move into Gemini on August 2, and Mercury will occupy the sign of Cancer on August 5. Furthermore, Mercury will pass through Leo on August 22. Additionally, the Sun will enter its own sign, Leo, on August 17.
Astrologers claim that these transits may bring favorable results to three zodiac signs.
For Taurus natives, the month of Sawan may signify good financial prospects. There are indications of a stable increase in earnings and profit. In the professional sphere, employees may be offered a new position. This time is also considered suitable for those wishing to change jobs. Entrepreneurs can expect to make a profit and complete long-delayed matters.
The month of Sawan may bring financial relief to people born under the sign of Libra. A salary increase or obtaining a new, higher-paying job is predicted. Fate may support them in their career. Long-term goals can be achieved, and old disputes may find resolution. Employees have opportunities in large companies, and entrepreneurs can anticipate concluding major deals.
For Pisces natives, the month of Sawan is viewed as financially advantageous. There is a possibility of an increase in bank account balance. New chances to increase income will arise, and they will have the opportunity to take advantage of them. Positive news is expected in the career field. For businessmen, sales growth is predicted. Moreover, old problems of working people may disappear, and positive changes will occur in the work environment.
A dispute has once again arisen regarding who holds the position of Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha around Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha. The discussion intensified after Swami Vasudevananda Saraswati was included in the Ram Mandir Trust meeting in Ayodhya as the Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha and received a place in the new religious commission of Ayodhya.
Following this development, Avimukteshwaranand expressed indignation and announced his intention to file a legal notice against Vasudevananda Saraswati regarding his recognition as Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha. In a press release issued by the Ram Janmabhoomi Kshetra Trust, Vasudevananda Saraswati was conferred the title of Parama Pujya Jagatguru Shankaracharya Yodhishpitadhipati.
The question of who is the true Shankaracharya of this abode has resurfaced. The question is whether Avimukteshwaranand is the Shankaracharya of this abode, the successor of Swami Swarupananda Saraswati, or if it is Vasudevananda Saraswati, who has claimed the post of Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha for the last two decades?
Previously, in 2019-20, a court ruling on the matter of land grant during Kumbh recognized Swami Swarupananda as Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha. However, after his death, according to his will, Swami Avimukteshwaranand was declared the Shankaracharya. Although this issue is still under consideration by the Supreme Court, the public has largely accepted Avimukteshwaranand as the Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha.
Vasudevananda himself has been claiming the position of Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha for three decades and has been involved in legal proceedings. Since this matter is before the court, neither the central government nor the Yogi government has officially declared either of them as Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha. Prime Minister Yogi Adityanath previously, on February 13, in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, refused to recognize Avimukteshwaranand as the Shankaracharya, stating that no one can declare themselves as Shankaracharya. In fact, Yogi's remark referred to Swarupananda's will, by which Avimukteshwaranand was appointed Shankaracharya after Swarupananda's death.
The fight for the title of true Shankaracharya now appears to be unfolding between the central government and the Uttar Pradesh government, as well as Avimukteshwaranand. After Avimukteshwaranand initiated an open confrontation regarding the Ayodhya case, the Ram Mandir Trust included Vasudevananda in its religious commission as Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha, which once again brought to the surface the dispute over who is the true Shankaracharya.
Currently, in the eyes of the sadhus and saints of Ayodhya, as well as the central and state apparatus of Yogi, Vasudevananda Maharaj is the Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha, while Avimukteshwaranand remains merely a sadhu to them. Thus, the dispute, which subsided during Swarupananda Saraswati's time in 2019-20, has once again come into focus, and it seems that the government has concluded that Vasudevananda Maharaj is the true Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha.
The month of Sawan this year will run from July 30 to August 28. The festival of Shivaratri is celebrated on the Chaturdashi of the lunar month Krishna in the month of Sawan. On this day, special religious events are held in the temples of Lord Shiva, and a large number of devotees perform Jalabhishek (bathing) of the Shivlinga. Devotees of Mahadeva observe a fast and worship him with deep reverence.
There is confusion among people regarding the exact date of Sawan Shivaratri. According to the Dik Panchang, the Chaturdashi this time will begin on August 11 at 04:54 AM and end on August 12 late at night at 01:52 AM. Since it is believed that worshiping Lord Shiva during this night holds special significance for four Prakaras, devotees should observe Shivaratri on August 11.
The time for worship in the first Prakara is scheduled from 07:04 PM to 09:45 PM. The second Prakara will take place from 09:45 PM to 12:26 AM. The third Prakara is planned from 12:26 AM to 03:07 AM, and the fourth Prakara will be held from 03:07 AM to 05:49 AM.
There will be four Mondays in the month of Sawan: the first on August 3, the second on August 10, the third on August 17, and the fourth on August 24.
It is believed that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on Sawan Shivaratri fulfills heartfelt desires. On this day, one must wake up early, take an oath, and begin worship. Clean clothes should be worn, and images of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati should be placed on the altar. First, worship is performed at home, and then devotees visit the temple to perform Jalabhishek of the Shivlinga. During this ritual, devotees offer water, Ganges water, milk, yogurt, honey, Bellapata leaves, dhatura, and bhanga to the Shivlinga.
Furthermore, to appease Lord Shiva, it is recommended to perform Rudrabhishek, recite the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, or read the Shiva Chalisa. In the evening, from Sandhyakal until the next morning, worship is conducted for four Prakaras, which includes proper worship of Lord Shiva, nocturnal wakefulness, and chanting of Mahadeva mantras. After this, one can donate funds to the needy and poor as per their ability.
A high-ranking official from Iran's road transport sector announced on Friday that all preparations have been completed at the six main border crossings with Iraq for the upcoming annual Arbaeen pilgrimage. Modernized cooling systems have been implemented, passenger areas expanded, and transport services overhauled to improve the movement of millions of pilgrims.
Ali Hankai, Deputy Head of the Iranian Organization for Road Services and Transportation, noted that planning for these border crossings began at the start of the year. The authorities' goal was to eliminate shortcomings identified during previous pilgrimages.
The six crossings serving Arbaeen pilgrims include Mehran, Shalancheh, Chazabeh, Hosravi, Tamarchin, and Bashmak. Hankai stated that efforts were made to rectify past deficiencies and prepare the terminals so that pilgrims could cross the border with minimal difficulty.
Updated cooling systems have been installed in all terminals, and emergency power generators have been mounted to ensure continuous service in case of power outages. Furthermore, authorities have installed misting systems, expanded shaded areas, and established covered pedestrian routes to provide more comfortable conditions for pilgrims traveling in the summer heat.
Hankai added that temporary and permanent sanitary facilities have been built or renovated at the terminals, and prayer halls have been expanded. Additional toilets and prayer areas have also been placed along the main routes, which facilitates access for elderly pilgrims and people with disabilities.
Special attention was paid to the Mehran crossing, through which, according to Hankai, approximately half of all Arbaeen pilgrims are expected to pass. In Mehran, all pedestrian corridors are now equipped with permanent or temporary canopies, powerful ventilation units have been installed along the pedestrian paths, and passenger halls are fitted with industrial cooling systems.
Hankai urged pilgrims to plan their trips well in advance and to stagger return journeys over several days to reduce crowding at the borders. He also reported that tickets for circular bus routes are available in many directions to simplify planning. In Shia Islam, Arbaeen marks 40 days after Ashura—the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet Muhammad and the third Shia Imam. Millions of pilgrims travel annually to the holy city of Karbala, Iraq, many on foot, to commemorate this memory.
