Sanskrit Day observed on Shravan Purnima to promote and celebrate the ancient Sanskrit language.

Sanskrit Diwas — World Sanskrit Day — is observed on Shravana Purnima, chosen because that is the traditional day of Upakarma, when Vedic study formally recommences. The Government of India instituted the observance in 1969 to promote the study and revival of Sanskrit. The language holds an unusual position: it is the vehicle of the Vedas, the Upanishads, the epics and the entire classical scientific and literary corpus of India, and it remains a living liturgical language while having very few native speakers. The day is marked in schools, universities and Sanskrit institutions with recitation, debate, drama and shloka competitions. Its purpose is practical rather than devotional — to encourage people to learn even a little of the language.

No fast is prescribed. The day is observed through study, recitation and teaching rather than abstinence.