Sawan, also known as Shravan, is a significant month in the Hindu calendar. It is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and typically falls between July and August in the Gregorian calendar. The month of Sawan holds great religious and cultural importance for Hindus, particularly Lord Shiva devotees.
In Sawan, which is believed to be the month of Shiva, the worshippers observe a fast every Monday (Somwar).
Sawan 2023 Start and End Day
This year, the month of Sawan will begin on July 4, 2023, and end on August 31, 2023. During this time, special prayers will be offered to Lord Shiva and his family in temples across the country. It’s believed that Sawan is a sacred month dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva for success, marriage, and wealth.
Saawan Shivaratri
This year there are two Shivratri in Sawan, that is why according to the Hindu calendar, 2023 is Adhikamas and hence the month of Sawan will come twice. The first Sawan Shivratri is on July 15th, 2023, and the second Sawan Shivratri is on August 14th, 2023.
Story
According to the Hindu Scripture, at the time of Samudra Manthan or churning the ocean, many auspicious things including innumerable amounts of gems, jewels, Kaamdhenu Cow, and an Elephant named Airawat have come out of the ocean along with the poison but demons and deities were shocked seeing that poison (Halahal) as it had the ability to destroy the world and everything.
Lord Shiva then came to rescue and drank all the poison and stored it in his throat, which turned out blue in colour that is why Lord Shiva is called Neelkanth also. Lord Shiva saved the entire world from this destructive poison. Demons and deities started offering him the holy water of Ganga so that the hazardous effect of poison could be reduced. This event took place during this month, from then this month is celebrated as Shravan month, and is considered to be the propitious month in the year.
What Is Sawan Somvar?
Savan Somvars hold a great significance because they are the special days of Lord Shiva in the special holy month. Highly auspicious results can be obtained by worshiping Lord Shiva on Savan Somvars every year.
The starting of fasts of Solah (sixteen) Somvars is also considered as highly auspicious in the month of Savan. Reciting Solah Somvar Vrat Katha is considered highly auspicious for women. Savan Somvar Vrat is mainly categorized into three categories, these are:
Savan Somvar : Fast of Monday only in the month of Savan
Solah Somvar : Beginning the fast of Solah (sixteen) Somvars, in the month of Savan
Somya Pradosh : Fast observed till the evening during Pradosham
Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati are the two main deities worshiped during the month of Savan. Devotees offer their favorite offerings to please the deities and to receive their blessings. These offerings include Bel Patra, Datura, rose or marigold flowers and much more.
Significance
People perform religious and spiritual activities during this month. The devotees observe a fast each Monday, which comes in Sawan month. The female unmarried devotees observe fast on Tuesday also, which is known as Mangla Gauri Vrat to get a desired husband and even newly married devotees also can observe Mangla Gauri Vrat.
Sawan is also known for the Kanwar yatra in which the devotees of Lord Shiva bring the sacred and holy Ganga Jal from Gaumukh to Haridwar and also wherever Maa Ganga travels. Kanwariya devotees walk miles by foot to bring the Ganga Jal. A Kanwar is carried on the shoulder of the Kanwariya to carry Ganga Jal so that they can offer Ganga Jal to Lord Shiva on the day of Shivratri which falls on Triyodashi Tithi in Krishna Paksha in Shravan Maas.
Hariyali teej also celebrated in the sawan month. It is believed that during this month unmarried girls also observe the sixteen Monday fast, which is called ‘Solah Somvaar’ to get a desired husband and worship Lord Shiva with pure dedication and devotion, Lord Shiva blesses the devotees with wish fulfillment.
Auspicious Results Of Sawan Somvar Vrat
After discussing that how to perform Sawan Somvar Vrat, we should also not miss out the auspicious results that can be obtained by observing this very auspicious Savan Somvar Vrat every year and during Savan in 2016.
All the difficulties and tensions of life will disappear.
Lord Shiva blesses unmarried girls with desired husband.
Lord Shiva blesses married ladies with long life and well being of husband and sons.
Lord Shiva fulfills all the desires and wishes of his devotees.
Lord Shiva blesses his devotees with wealth and prosperity.
Lord Shiva is so kind toward his devotees that anyone can easily please him by showing love and gratitude, thus he is also known as Bholenath. Let’s now talk about another very important day of Savan that is Sawan Shivaratri.
Puja Vidhi
– Devotees visit the temple of Lord Shiva and perform Jalabhishek to the Shiv Ling.
– They wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath, worship the idol of Lord Shiva and continue chanting Om Namah Shivaya.
– People observe the Monday fast during this time of the month.
– Mahamrutunjaya mantra is chanted 108 times in the name of Lord Shiva.
– Rudrabhishek is done by providing milk, curd, ghee, honey and Gangajal.
– The month is followed by not fighting, quarrelling with anyone and avoiding certain food habits like onion, garlic, radish, and brinjal.
– Alcohol is strictly prohibited.
– Shiv Chalisa and Shiva Aarti are chanted to please Lord Shiva.
Beautiful Month Of Savan
The month of Sawan is considered as the most beautiful month in terms of weather changes. Every year, some really pleasant changes are encountered by nature in itself in the month of Sawan.
The sky fills with clouds, the fields fill with green grass and beautiful flowers. Rainy season starts in the month of Sawan or Shravan and it seems like the whole universe is worshiping Lord Shiva by pouring water on him in the form of rain.
The whole world feels relieved in the month of Sawan with the cool breezes and rains, after the hot season of summers. It seems like all the birds and insects come out to greet Lord Shiva. Water level also increases in the month of Savan. Nature regains its beauty in the month of Savan.