New Delhi, July 24, 2013: The auspicious month of shravan or the month of lord Shiva has just started which will continue till third week of August. Shravan is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar beginning from Chaitra. This month spreads out with innumerable religious festivals and ceremonies. This year Shravan month began from July 23 and will come to an end on August 21. During this entire month, Hindu devotees offer prayers, flower and Abhishekham (holy smear) to Lord Shiva for long and prosperous life.

All Mondays which fall during Shravan month are considered highly auspicious for fasting and known as Shravan Somwar or Sawan Somwar Vrats. Holy fast is observed by unmarried girls to seek a happy and prosperous marital life. Many devotees observe sixteen Mondays or Solah Somwar fasting from first Somwar of Sawan month. All Tuesdays of this month are dedicated to Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. Tuesday's fasting during Shravan month is known as Mangal Gauri Vrat. Sawan Shivaratri and Hariyali Amavasya are other auspicious days during Shravan month.

THE MYTHOLOGY

As per the legend, when the Samudra Manthan (churning of ocean) took place in the month of Sawan, fourteen different types of rubies came out of the whole exercise. Thirteen of these were distributed amongst the demons, except HALAHAL (poison). Lord Shiva drank the Halahal and stored it in his throat. Hence the name Neelkantha (meaning blue throat) is attributed to Shiva.

To reduce the strong effect of poison, Lord Shiva wore the crescent moon on his head. All the Gods, thereafter started offering the Ganges water to Lord Shiva to lessen the effect of poison.

Since, this happened in the month of Sawan, devotees offer the holy Ganges water to the idols of Lord Shiva in this month.

SHIV PUJA

An ancient story says that rishi Markanday for long life had gone into intense meditation to please Lord Shiva in Shravan month. Because of this the lord of death, Yamraj was also defeated.

FESTIVALS OBSERVED DURING SHRAVAN

The month of Shravan brings the festivity and glory along with it. Some of the important festivals observed are Naag Panchami, Kalky-avatara, Hindola or Swinging, Putradaikadashi, Shravani Poornima, Narali Poornima, Pavitraropana, Vara Lakshmi Vrata, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Pavitra Ekadashi.  

THE KAAVAD

During this month devotees pour Ganga Jal on Shivlingam, which they bring from the sacred river- the Ganges. They take holy dip in the Ganges, then sacred Ganga Jal is taken into two earthen pots, tighten on Kaanvad (the bamboo log) with the help of Chinka (specially designed rope), thereafter Kaanvadiyas (name given to devotees who carry Kaanvad) perform puja of Kaanvands and then carries them on their respective shoulder and march towards Temple bare feet. Throughout their way to temple, they chant the name of Bhole Bab in different ways and offer the water at the respective temples.

Source: Post, July 24, 2013