As the skies open up with the first showers of monsoon and the scent of wet earth rises, India enters a spiritually rich and deeply symbolic time of the year-Sawan Maas, also known as Shravan Month. It is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and is considered the holiest for the worship of Lord Shiva, the destroyer and regenerator in the Hindu Trinity.
Marked by devotion, fasting, pilgrimages, and vibrant rituals, Sawan (typically falling in July-August) is not just a time of religious observance but of inner transformation. During this sacred period, the air echoes with chants of “Har Har Mahadev”, rivers brim with pilgrims, and temples overflow with faith and fervor.
The Significance of Sawan Maas
Sawan Maas is imbued with spiritual energy due to its cosmic alignment. According to Hindu scriptures, this is the month when Lord Shiva saved the universe by consuming the lethal poison (Halahala) that emerged during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean). His act of sacrifice and compassion is revered with heightened devotion throughout Sawan.
Additionally, the month is ruled by the Moon (Soma), which is closely associated with the calming, meditative aspect of Shiva. It is also believed that during Sawan, the celestial energies are most conducive for spiritual practices like meditation, mantra chanting, and self-purification. The month of Shravan brings an opportunity to be bestowed with divinity. Shravan month is an auspicious period to worship the deities. Among all the deities, Lord Shiva is considered to be the most divine. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva during the month of Shravan brings in favourable results. Shravan is the fifth month of Hindu Calendar. The entire month is primarily devoted to Lord Shiva, and Shravan Somvar fast is followed to invoke his blessings. As the name suggests, Shravan Somvar Vrata is performed on Mondays, especially by women in the desire of a safe and protected household. Unmarried girls who desire for an ideal husband also perform the fast of Sawan Somvar Vrat.
Sawan Somwar Vrat
It is believed that Sawan Somvar fasts are highly beneficial for the unmarried girls. By observing the Somvar Vrat, they get married to the person of their choice. Sawan Somvar Vrat is significant because it fulfils the desire of a person and all dreams come true. By observing the Sawan Somvar fast and worshipping Lord Shiva, devotees can achieve desired results.
Legend
According to Purana, Samudra Manthan took place in the Shravan month, when the gods and the demons churned the ocean. As a result, fourteen divine items emerged out of the ocean. Halahala (a deadly poison) also came out as a by-product. Lord Shiva swallowed the poison to save the world from destruction. It could not seep through his throat.
The swallowing of poison turned his throat blue. Hence, he is known as Neelkantha (blue throat). It eventually was the reason of observing Sawan Somvar Vrat (in the month of Sawan) in honour of Lord Shiva.
Celebrations and Rituals
Sawan Somvar Vrat is categorised as following:
– Savan Somvar is the fast that is observed on Mondays, in the month of Savan.
– Solah Somvar Vrats is the observance of sixteen fasts on consecutive Mondays which commence in the month of Savan.
– Saumya Pradesh is observed till the evening in Shravan month.
– Devotees should wake up early in the morning and take a bath. Visit Lord Shiva temple and offer milk to Shiva Lingam. At home, clean the Puja place (worshiping place) and adorn your soul to welcome the Lord. A Sankalp (oath) is taken to perform the Sawan Somvar Vrat with total devotion. Shiv Puja is performed twice in a day. Devotees must cleanse themselves properly to venerate the Lord once again after the Sun sets. Solah Somvar Vrat Katha or Sawan Vrat Katha is an important element. Somvar Vrat Katha is recited on every Monday of Sawan vrat. Solah Somvar Vrat Katha portrays the life of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. After the Puja, Prasad is distributed among the friends and family members.
Things to do
Devotees fast to please Lord Shiva:
– Fasting during this entire month is considered very auspicious. Waking up early morning, visiting the Shiva temple, and offering a mixture of milk, ghee, yogurt, ganga jal, and honey also known as Panchamrut along with Bilva leaves is a must. One can have milk and milk products, fruits and other fasting approved items during this time.
– Fasting on all Shravan somvar, especially for unmarried women who are seeking a good husband.
– As Rudraksh is symbolic to Lord Shiva, wearing the Rudraksha is considered very auspicious as well. Devout devotees of Lord Shiva make sure to wear a Rudraksh during this time of the year to please him.Devotees also do japa with Rudraksh mala to please Lord Shiva.
– Offering Panchamrut, bilva leaves, gangajal, dhatura, along with Honey or sugar and Bibhuti to Lord Shiva is considered very auspicious.
– The Mangal Gauri Vrata is also done by married women during this month for the health and prosperity of their households.
Religious & Cultural Practices
- Sawan Somwar (Mondays)
Each Monday of Sawan is considered supremely auspicious and is marked by the observance of Sawan Somwar Vrat (fasting and special puja). Devotees throng Shiva temples to offer milk, water, belpatra (bilva leaves), honey, curd, and fruits on the Shiva Lingam.
Women, especially unmarried girls, fast and pray for an ideal husband like Lord Shiva, while married women seek the long life and prosperity of their spouses. Chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra and Om Namah Shivaya is considered especially potent during this time.
- Kanwar Yatra
One of the most visually striking and spiritually intense rituals of Sawan is the Kanwar Yatra. Every year, millions of Kanwariyas (devotees of Shiva) embark on foot pilgrimages to collect holy water from the Ganga River and offer it at prominent Shiva temples like Haridwar, Deoghar (Baidyanath Dham), Sultanganj, and Varanasi.
Dressed in saffron, carrying decorated kanwars (yokes), and chanting “Bol Bam,” these pilgrims walk for miles as an act of devotion and penance.
- Shravan Shivratri
While Maha Shivratri is observed in Phalguna (Feb-Mar), Shravan Shivratri, falling on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Shravan, is equally sacred. Devotees fast, perform night-long vigils, and worship Shiva with full rituals.
- Daily Puja and Fasting
Many devotees follow daily fasting throughout the month-some consuming only fruits and milk, others doing nirjala vrat (without food and water) on specific days. Daily pujas include Shiva Abhishekam, lighting of lamps, and reading of scriptures like the Shiva Purana, Shiv Chalisa, and Sawan Vrat Katha.
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