Sawan, also known as Shravan month is here and it’s time to worship “Devon Ke Dev – Mahadev” Lord Shiva. Festivals in India are all about showing harmony and devotion. This month-long holy festival involves praying to the deity to seek his blessings and visiting the Ganga River to have a bath in the holy water. Monday is the most auspicious day of the week to worship Lord Shiva. During Shravan month, devotees keep fast on every Monday, or Sawan Somwar. They perform prayers to Lord Shiva to seek his blessings.
Many devotees observe a fast for sixteen Mondays or Solah Somwar from the first Somwar of the Sawan month. While Mondays are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Tuesdays in Sawan are dedicated to Goddess Parvati. According to Drik Panchang, Tuesday fasting during Sawan month is Mangal Gauri Vrat. Moreover, Sawan Shivaratri and Hariyali Amavasya are two other auspicious days of Shravan month.
History and Significance Of Sawan:
According to Hindu folklore, Lord Shiva consumed the poison that appeared from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan to save the world. Therefore, the devotees celebrate the Sawan month to the Lord, who protects his devotees from all pitfalls and showers them with good health and prosperity.
As per the Hindu calendar, Sawan is the fifth month that occurs between July and August. Devotees honor this special occasion by having fasted and praying to almighty Shiva and Parvati for a peaceful and prosperous life. They also go for the Kanwar Yatra, to fetch water from the Ganga River (Haridwar, Rishikesh, Banaras, Allahabad, etc.) while carrying Kanwars on their shoulders for serving to Shivlinga. Every year several lakhs of devotees from around the country take part in this pilgrimage. The holy water is not to be kept on the floor or any surface until offered to Lord Shiva.
Mantra to Chant during Sawan
ॐ नमः शिवाय
प्रौं ह्रीं ठः
ऊर्ध्व भू फट्
इं क्षं मं
औं अं
नमो नीलकण्ठाय
ॐ पार्वतीपतये नमः
ॐ ह्रीं ह्रौं
नमः शिवाय
ॐ नमो भगवते
दक्षिणामूर्त्तये मह्यं मेधा प्रयच्छ
स्वाहा
ॐ नमः शिवाय
शुभं शुभं कुरू
कुरू शिवाय नमः
ॐ
Shravan Vrat Katha
Once upon a time, there was a moneylender in a village who was very rich; however, he did not have any child. He always felt sad and worried. With a wish to have a son, he kept fast every Monday with dedication. He also visits Lord Shiva and Parvati temple to perform prayers. Seeing the dedication, Goddess Parvati got pleased. She requested Lord Shiva to fulfill his wishes. He was blessed with a baby boy with one condition. The boy will live for 12 years only.
Once his wish was granted, every one of his family was happy; however, only the moneylender was aware of the fact that his son has a short life of 12 years. When the boy completed 11 years, his mother of the boy wanted him to marry, but the moneylender sent him to Kashi with his uncle for further studies. Since he knew that he will only live up to 12 years; he asked his son and his uncle to perform Yagna and pray to Lord Shiva. While the boy was out, he also worshipped Lord Shiva continuously.
On his journey, he and his uncle observed a wedding taking place where the groom had one eye defected and this handsome boy became the groom and married the daughter of a rich man. He continues on his journey and ensured that the bride knew who her real groom was. One day, his uncle was preparing for the Yagna, hawan to Lord Shiva, and bequest to Brahmin, and the boy fell ill. The uncle asked him to take some rest. However, it was the 12th year of his life span which was completed just after that, he died. Seeing the boy dead, the uncle was worried and heartbroken. He still decided to perform the religious offerings.
This impressed Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati while they were passing by the home. Seeing their pain, Lord Shiva served life to that boy for his devotion. The boy returned home with the bride he married earlier and they lived happily ever after.
