The pious month of Shravan has already begun marking the onset of monsoon. Shravan Month is taken under consideration united of the holiest months within the year as per the calendar. It usually falls between the months of July-August per the New Style calendar. But why is that this month called Shravan? It’s believed that on Poornima or a full-of-the-moon day or at any time during this month, the Shravan Nakshatra or star rules the skies and hence, this month derives its name from this nakshatra.

Tracing its etymology, Somwar or Monday springs from the Sanskrit word, ‘Soma’ meaning Chandra, the immortal Moon. Lord Shiva, in Hindu religion, is depicted wearing a crescent slug top of his hair and is additionally addressed as ‘Someshwara‘. On the other hand, Shravan translates to the season of monsoon. The Shravan month is synonymous with auspicious festivals and events. It is the best time to conduct all-important religious ceremonies, because the majority of days during this month are auspicious for shubh aarambh, good start. Shravan maas’ ruling deity is Lord Shiva.

According to the story that goes behind this month, people observe this fast in an exceedingly very bid to please Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for a healthy and prosperous life. It is also believed, for the unmarried women, that keeping a fast for consecutive 16 Mondays after Shravan begins, will eventually bestow them with an ideal life partner and a cheerful married life ahead. This may be called Solah Somwar Vrat. During this month, each Monday is widely called Shravan Somvar across all temples with the Dharanatra hanging over the Shiva linga, bathing it with water and milk, throughout the day into the night. Devotees offer Bael leaves, flowers, H2O and milk, Fruits,Flowers to lord Shiva on every Shravan Somwar. They fast until the sun goes down and also the Nandadeep, the Akhand Diya, burns throughout.

The significance of Lord Shiva in Shravan (Shravan) Month

The Samudra Manthan could also be an important episode as per the Puranas. The churning of the milky ocean. Samudra Manthan in search of the amrit, happened during the month of Shravan. During the churning, 14 different rubies emerged from the ocean. Thirteen rubies were divided among the devas and also the asuras, however, Halahal the 14th ruby remained because it absolutely was the deadliest poison which could destroy the complete universe and every living being. Lord Shiva drank the Halahal and stored the poison in his throat. Due to the impact of the poison, his throat turned blue and he came to be called Neelkantha.

Such was the impact of the poison that Lord Shiva wore a crescent moon around his head and each one the devas started offering water from the holy river of Ganga to lord Shiva to chop back the results of the poison. Both these events transpire within the Shravan Maas so, it’s considered very auspicious to produce holy Ganga water to Lord Shiva during this month.

Importance of wearing Rudraksh in Shravan Month

Devout devotees of Lord Shiva consider it auspicious to wear Rudraksha within the month of Shravan. Mondays are dedicated to Lord Shiva as his the ruling deity of the day. However, Mondays within the Shravan maas are spoken as Shravan Somwar and are highly auspicious, and celebrated with all austerities.

Celebration in Shravan Duration

The onset of the month of Shravan also marks the start of the Kanwar Yatra. During this annual Lakhs of devotees clad in orange,, an oversized number of kanwariyas from state, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh come to Haridwar to assemble Gangajal (holy water). The kanwariyas then return to their hometowns and offer the Ganga water in local Shiva temples. What makes this yatra so challenging is the assumption that the holy Ganga water mustn’t be kept on the bottom or any surface until it’s offered to Lord Shiva.

Rituals to following Shravan (Shravan) Month

  • Offering milk to lord Shiva in Shravan Month leads one to earn plenty of punyas.
  • Wear Rudraksha and use it for japas.
  • Offer Bhibhuti is taken into consideration important if offered to lord Shiva. a variety of it should be smeared on the forehead also.
  • Offer panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, desi ghee, honey and 5 types of dry fruits) and bael leaves to Shiva linga.
  • Chant the shiva chalisa and perform regular aarti of lord Shiva.
  • Chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is extremely auspicious.
  • Fast on all Shravan Somvars. This can be often important for young women seeking an honest life partner.