In July-August 2024, the month of Shravan will run from July 22 to August 19. During this time, followers of Lord Shiva fast and perform water rituals (Jalabhishek) on Mondays.
Hinduism embraces the worship of different demigods and recognizes sacrifices and austerities unto them based on Vedic scriptures (Vedas, Puranas, and Upanishads).
According to the Hindu or Vedic calendar, Sawan is the fifth month and is regarded as one of the auspicious months in which people try to please Lord Shiva, the destroyer of the material world.
Another name of Lord Shiva is “Ashutosh” which means that he gets pleased by his devotees very easily. Whoever comes to him with any kind of material desire is certain to get it fulfilled.
However, because Lord Shiva is the greatest of Vaishnavas “vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ” (Srimad Bhagavatam 12.13.16) when a sincere seeker of the Absolute Truth comes and genuinely prays to him, Lord Shiva takes him to the devotional path of Vishnu or Krishna, the Supreme Lord.
The month of Sawan is also known as “Shravan” and is connected to the arrival of the monsoon or rainy season (July-August) in India. It holds a spiritual significance too. Many followers of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati fast during this month and perform special worship of the lord on Mondays.
This month is venerated due to many reasons. It is believed that the month of Sawan is the most dear to Lord Shiva. Not only spiritual significance but this month also holds a social and cultural significance in India.
The devotees of Lord Shiva sing hymns and perform folk dances for his pleasure and in this way, they gather and celebrate the exalted position of their beloved lord.
Large Nataraja Handmade Panchaloha Bronze Statue - from Swamimalai
According to popular legends of Hinduism, the month of Sawan is a divine period because it is during this time, that the great churning of the ocean or Samudra Manthan took place.
Among the many incomparable gems that came out of the ocean, was also the Halahala, a deadly poison which threatened the entire creation, including the Gods and Demons engaged in the churning.
Who else but Mahadeva Shiva came forward to protect the life of the cosmos? Taking the Halahala, Shiva drank the poison, and then held it in his throat, becoming “Neelakantha” (he whose throat or neck is blue, due to the effect of the poison).
It is for remembering Shiva’s divine Lila of drinking Halahala and saving the three realms, that the month of Sawan is dedicated to him, during which devotees gather in temples of Shiva and their homes, to worship the mighty Mahadeva.
Different regions and groups of people observe the Sawan month according to their traditional beliefs and customs. While external differences might be there, the foundation remains common which is to worship Lord Shiva with sincere devotion.
Any religious festival, sacrifice, or austerity is incomplete without following the ritualistic worship of some particular deity. Since Shravan or Sawan month is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Mahadev), the Shaivites or devotees of Lord Shiva engage in various devotional activities.
Some of them follow the procedure of Sawan Puja very strictly. The general Puja Vidhi or procedure is as follows:
According to Vedic scriptures, it is mandatory for the person observing or performing any kind of Puja to cleanse himself by bathing with water and then wearing clean clothes.
There is a famous phrase that says “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” and indeed, we are far away from cultivating God consciousness when our body and mind are not pure.
The next step is to set up a clean altar somewhere in the house where there might be fewer distractions while performing the Puja.
The Puja area is purified by sprinkling some drops of Ganga Jal (Ganges water) and then a picture (Swaroop) or an idol (murti) of Lord Shiva is installed in the altar.
Lord Shiva Family Tanjore Painting →
If you are initiated into an authentic Sampradaya (disciplic succession) and are performing the Puja by yourself, you must first offer your humble obeisance to your Guru Parampara by chanting the particular Mangala Charan.
By doing so, you will invoke their mercy and be able to overcome any offenses that may be committed while performing the Puja. Once it is done, you can now start offering ghee lamps or incense, flowers, fruits, and sweets to the deity of Lord Shiva.
If you truly want to please Lord Shiva, do not forget to offer Bael leaves to him. The Mantras that can be chanted while offering the paraphernalia are:
"Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam,Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat"(ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्, उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥).“Om Namah Shivaya"(ॐ नमः शिवाय)”
Abhishekam is the ritualistic bathing of the deity or Lingam of Lord Shiva using several liquids such as water, rose water, honey, milk, curd, ghee, fruit juices, etc.
You can pour these substances as an offering to Lord Shiva. You can chant the above-mentioned Mantras while doing so.
Small Rose Quartz Shivalinga Statue →
The Aarti ceremony is an important limb of Deity worship that helps to develop a loving relationship with the lord. It is also one of the devotional services in which all our senses are engaged in pleasing him.
To perform the Aarti, light a ghee or oil lamp in front of the deity and recite the Shiv Aarti. Distributing and honoring Prasad.
Lastly, you can distribute whatever eatables (Prasad) that were offered to Lord Shiva among your family members and other devotees and also honor it yourself with the feeling of gratitude towards the lord.
During the month of Shravan, devotees of Lord Shiva generally observe fasts on Mondays for the pleasure of the lord. They abstain from certain foods during their fasting and engage themselves in the loving service of Lord Shiva.
Some devotees observe fasting for sixteen consecutive Mondays, which is known as “Solah Somvar Vrat”. There are usually four (4) levels of fast observance:
1. Abstaining from eating grains, pulses, and beans, and only consuming non-grain ingredients
2. Only consuming fruits and milk
3. Only consuming water
4. Not even consuming water (complete fasting)
Observing the month of Sawan or Shravan is considered highly auspicious as it brings one closer to Lord Shiva. The devotees of Lord Shiva, during this month, visit Shiva temples and offer their humble obeisance and prayers to him. There are many benefits of chanting the names of Shiva or observing fast in Sawan.
🌀 It is believed that any spiritual activity performed in this month gives manyfold results and also purifies one’s gross body, subtle body (mind), and soul.
If one offers even water and some bael leaves to Lord Shiva, he gets so much pleased that he fulfills their material desires such as wealth, prosperity, a loving partner, etc. Then what to speak of those who approach him with spiritual desires?
Small Brass Trishul (Inferior Quality)
🌀 For many people, Sawan simply means a change of diet. However, there is a deeper meaning and purpose behind observing the holy month of Sawan.
The basic principle is to observe it with the right consciousness. Lord Shiva is pleased with your internal exclusivity more than the external exclusivity.
All he needs is your firm faith and devotion toward him. If you remain devoted to him during this month, you will experience a great transformation in your heart and you will feel much closer to Lord Shiva.
Beyond the worship of Shiva, which is a central element in the months of Sawan, the time is also a special one across the states of India, where different local festivities are observed by tribes and communities.
☸ Kaanwar Yatra in North : Pilgrims, and devotees of Shiva gather in huge numbers and go on a special kind of pilgrimage- collecting the sacred water of rivers like Ganga to offer it to Shiva.
Their journey is mostly done on foot, and crowds of these pilgrims known as “Kanwariyas” can be seen all over northern India with their water vessels on their shoulders and the chants of “Om Namah Shivay” or “Bam Bam Bhole” rising in the air around them.
☸ Teej Festival in North and West India : Variations of Teej such as Hariyali Teej and Kajri Teej, festivals of women, are also an important part of Sawan celebrations in India.
Observed from ancient times in different forms, Teej is essentially the worship of the connection between nature and women, especially during the monsoon rains, when the earth is fertile and auspicious abundance is all around.
Songs, dances, feasts, and worship of Shiva, Parvati, and local deities are observed in Teej, with women praying for the marital joy and happiness of their families. Teej Mela or fairs are a beautiful cultural element of these festivities.
☸ Narali Purnima : Celebrated mainly by the coastal communities of Western India, Narali Purnima is observed in honor of Lord Varuna, the god of water and oceans.
People gather around sea coasts with offerings, praying to Varuna and asking for his blessings so that future calamities during fishing and sea voyages can be avoided.
Nariyal or coconut is offered among other things to the god and people have feasts and dance together to celebrate the spirit of togetherness.
☸ Gamha Purnima of Odisha : This day is a unique festival of Odisha when Balabhadra or Balarama Jayanti is celebrated. A festival rooted in the culture of Odisha, Gamha Purnima is a reverence for the agricultural land (through Balarama whose weapon is the Hala or plow) and cattle wealth.
☸ Naga Panchami : A festival dedicated to Naga or serpents, Naga Panchami is celebrated across India in one form or the other. People draw images of supernets on their doors and worship them with sweet offerings such as Kheer (milk and rice pudding).
Puja of Nagas is an ancient practice in Indian culture, which underlines the symbiotic connection between humans and nature, where animals too are remembered and revered for the role they play in the balance of nature.
With rain showers, the heat of summer decreases, and the surroundings become more pleasant and beautiful. To celebrate the fertility and abundance that nature carries during Sawan there are some folk practices, which are not directly connected to any religious festival, however, they are an important part of the traditions of Sawan.
☸ Katha and Kirtan : Celebrations in family and localities during Sawan take the form of Katha or Paatha where stories of gods from the Purana are told and people as the audience become a part of it.
Kirtan or singing of religious songs is also a popular part of Sawan, with women or people in general conducting Jaagarans and singing folk or religious songs, feasting, and worshiping their house deity.
☸ Women and Sawan : The months of Sawan are an important time for women. According to beliefs, if a woman observes a fast every Monday (Somvar) of Sawan, she will be blessed by Shiva with a virtuous husband. Many also worship Parvati, the mother goddess to receive the boon of an ideal life partner.
Q. Why are Mondays important during Sawan?
While the entire month of Sawan is considered holy, Mondays still hold a great spiritual significance. According to some Vedic injunctions, Mondays are dedicated to Lord Shiva, and therefore, people observe fasting on this day to please the lord and attract his mercy in their lives.
Q. What is the significance of the Sawan month in Hinduism?
Sawan is significant for Lord Shiva devotees, a time for spiritual purification and seeking blessings.
Q. When does the Sawan month typically occur?
Sawan usually falls between July and August, the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar. Popular festivals include Shravan Somvar Vrat, Raksha Bandhan, Hariyali Teej, Nag Panchami, and more.
Q. How do people typically decorate their homes or temples during Sawan?
Homes and temples are adorned with vibrant decorations to create a festive atmosphere.
Q. What are some popular festivals or vratas (fasts) observed during Sawan?
Popular festivals and vratas observed during Sawan include Shravan Somvar Vrat, Raksha Bandhan, Hariyali Teej, Nag Panchami, and Kajari Teej.
"The original version was written by Tanvi Mehta on June 23, 2024. It was revised in July 2024 by Prakriti Anand, who is currently pursuing her PhD in Ancient Indian History from the University of Delhi. Prakriti has experience working with organizations in the realms of heritage, art, and history and is committed to advancing contributions to the field of culture."
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