It is considered one of the most important periods for devotees of Lord Shiva.
The month of July also marks the celebration of Devshayani Ekadashi, a very important date in Hindu calendar. It is also known as Ashadha Shukla Paksha Ekadashi. According to Drik Panchang, "Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on this day and wakes after four months on Prabodhini Ekadashi. Devshayani Ekadashi comes just after the famous Jagannath Rath Yatra and usually falls in June or July in the Gregorian calendar. Chaturmas, a holy four-month period in the Hindu calendar, begins on this day." This year, Devshayani Ekadashi will be observed on 6 July.
The festival of Hariyali Teej will be celebrated on 27 July.
With several important fasts and festivals lined up, here is a look at the key dates in the religious calendar for July.
Vrat (Fasting) and Festivals in July

6 July - Devshayani Ekadashi, Gauri Vrat
8 July - Bhaum Pradosh Vrat
9 July - Ashadh Chomasi Chaudas
10 July - Kokila Vrat, Guru Purnima
11 July - Beginning of Sawan
14 July - First Monday of Sawan
15 July - Mangala Gauri Vrat
16 July - Karka Sankranti
21 July - Second Monday of Sawan
22 July - Second Mangala Gauri Vrat, Sawan Pradosh Vrat
23 July - Sawan Shivratri
24 July - Hariyali Amavasya
27 July - Hariyali Teej
28 July - Third Monday of Sawan, Vinayak Chaturthi
29 July - Nag Panchami
30 July - Skanda Shashti
31 July - Tulsidas Jayanti