Significance of Sawan

In the Hindu calendar, Shravan Maas is the fifth month. Shravan maas is frequently connected to religious events and festivals. Many people follow a fast for the entirety of Sawan Month and offer daily prayers to the Shiva Lingam.

Shravan is known for its festivals and festivities. Since most of this month’s days are favourable for shubh aarambh (fresh beginnings), it is the ideal time to hold any auspicious activities.

The Shravan Month’s History 

Hindu mythology claims that poison came up from the river during the battle between the Devas and the Asuras. To save the human race, Lord Shiva consumed all the poison. This incident happened in the month of Shravan. Lord Shiva’s body temperature soared as a result. Following the Hindu gods’ custom of pouring Gangajal on Lord Shiva, which is still practised by followers today, Lord Shiva put the moon on his head, which helped to cool his temperature.

Rituals

Fasting -Devotees frequently observe a lot of vrats during Shravan Maas.

• Sawan Somwar Vrat-Every Monday (Somvar) during the month is designated as Sawan Somwar Vrat. During Shravan, there are typically 4 Mondays, but occasionally there are 5. Young females observe the Solah Somwar Vrat in an effort to find the perfect husband. Beginning on the first Monday of this month, they fast for 16 consecutive Mondays. READ MORE ABOUT SOMVAR VRAT
• Pradosh Vrat – In both the Krishna Paksha and the Shukla Paksha, the pradosh vrat is observed on the thirteenth day (Trayodashi tithi). Devotees observe a severe fast on this day and worship Shiva during the Pradosh Kaal.
• Mangala Gauri Vrat-Tuesdays in the Shravan Maas are dedicated to the Mangala Gauri Vrat. The fast is observed to ensure a good marriage, the partner’s health, and a long life.
• Shani Vrat-The main purpose of the Shani Vrat, which is held on Saturdays during the Shravan Maas, is to appease Lord Shani and win His favours.

On Vrat day, wake up early in the morning, take a bath and wear fresh clothes.

• Clean the puja place and decorate it with flowers and lights. Keep the necessary puja materials such as oil lamps, instance sticks, cow ghee, fruits, sweets, vermilion, sandalwood paste, etc.
• Install the idol of Lord Shiva or a Shivling on the podium. Start the puja by offering Gangajal to the Lord and then do the Panchamrit Abhishek of the Shivling or the idol of Lord Shiva.
• Apply sandalwood paste on the idol of the Lord and offer bilva leaves, bhog, white flowers, datura flower and rice.
• Then read the Somvar Vrat Katha with utmost devotion and a pure heart.
• Again, perform the Aarti of Lord Shiva in the evening by lighting a ghee lamp. Offer water and flowers to the Shivling and the Moon.
• It’s considered auspicious to visit a Shiva temple on the Somvar Vrat day during the morning Puja or evening Aarti.

Spiritual Practices

In this month, there are spiritual implications for every day.

• The day to worship Lord Shiva is Monday.
• Women worship Gauri on Tuesday in hopes of improving their family’s health.
• Wednesday is devoted to Lord Vishnu or Krishna’s avatar Vithala.
• The day of worship for Buddha and the Guru is Thursday.
• Friday is a day to honour Lakshmi and Tulsi.
• Saturn (Shani Dev) is honoured on Saturdays. As one might pray for money on these days, they are also known as Shravan Saturdays or Sampat Sanivara (wealth Saturdays).