Shraavan Month 2023: Understanding Its Relevance, Ritual Practices, and Significant Days

Shraavan is known for its festivals and festivities. It is the greatest time to hold any auspicious ceremonies because the majority of the days in this month are favourable for Shubh Aarambh (fresh beginnings).

The period not only hosts a range of religious observances and festivities but is also a crucial phase in the monsoon season. As the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, Shraavan is esteemed as one of the holiest.

The name "Shraavan" is derived from the Shraavan Nakshatra, believed to dominate the sky on full-moon days. The month is particularly devoted to offering 'Patram-pushpam & phalam-toyam' to Shiva Linga.

Shraavan ushers in a period of auspicious beginnings and grand celebrations. Every Monday, known as Shraavan Somvar, is marked with special rituals involving bathing the Shivling with holy water and milk. Interestingly, the start and end dates of Shraavan vary regionally, depending on whether the Purnima or Amavasya lunar calendar is followed.

Conversely, in regions like Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, where the Amavasya calendar is followed, the celebrations start on July 18th and end on September 15th, 2023. This holy month is indeed a festival hub, buzzing with spiritual fervour.

Shraavan Month holds great significance in Indian mythology. According to the Vishnu Purana, a Vedic scripture, it was in the Shraavan month that Bhagwan Shiva consumed a deadly poison released during the churning of the Ocean of Milk, known as Samudra Manthan, thereby protecting the world from peril. As a result, Shraavan is particularly devoted to Bhagwan Shiva.

Observing a fast on Mondays, which are dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva, during this month is believed to bestow good health and prosperity.

The Shraavan month is also associated with those seeking marital bliss. Devi Parvati, the consort of Bhagwan Shiva, practiced meditation, prayers, fasting, and austere living during this time to be with Bhagwan Shiva. Girls who observe fasts on 16 consecutive Mondays beginning with the first Monday of Shraavan are believed to be blessed with an ideal life partner and a joyful married life. Devotees seeking blessings from Maa Gauri or Devi Parvati can fast on Tuesdays, her designated day.

The Shraavan month is also remembered for a divine event when Bhagwan Shiva consumed the poison that emerged during the clash between the Devas (celestial beings) and Asuras (demons). This act significantly increased his body temperature, which was then cooled down by placing the moon on his head and pouring sacred Ganga water over him. This ritual of offering water to Bhagwan Shiva continues to this day.

Furthermore, it is believed that Lord Indra, the king of Devas, invoked heavy rains to alleviate Bhagwan Shiva's elevated body temperature, providing him relief. Hence, Bhagwan Shiva is highly revered, and water offerings are made, particularly on Mondays during the Sawan month.

The observance of the month of Shraavan varies slightly between North India and the rest of India due to the differing use of the Purnima and Amavasya lunar calendars. Each Monday in Shraavan is celebrated as Shraavana Somwar Vrat, with special observances dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva.

During the auspicious month of Shraavan, filled with festivals and fasts, devotees partake in certain rituals to gain blessings from deities

1. Maintaining cleanliness - Devotees ensure their houses and surroundings are clean.

2. Abstinence - Avoidance of liquor and smoking is observed during this holy month.

3. Fasting - Special fasts are held on different days, such as Mondays for Bhagwan Shiva, Fridays for Maa Lakshmi, and Saturdays for Shani Dev. Even those not fasting maintain a strict vegetarian and sattvic diet.

4. Temple visit - Daily visits to the temple, particularly Bhagwan Shiva's temple, are customary. Those unable to go daily aim for Monday visits to offer a cleansing bath, or 'Snan', to the Shiva Linga using Ganga water, milk, raw rice, sugar, sesame seeds, curd, ghee, and sandalwood.

This is followed by offerings of flowers, datura, bel patra, sweets, fruits, janeu (sacred thread), and dakshina (money) while chanting the mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' 108 times.

5. Kanwar Yatra - This pilgrimage happens in Shraavan, where devotees fetch holy water from sacred rivers to anoint the Shiva Linga.

6. Special Shraavan Rituals - According to beliefs, pleasing Bhagwan Shiva is easier compared to other deities. Devotees wake up early on Sawan Somwar (Monday), visit a Shiva temple, or perform an authentic Rudrabhishek Puja at home.

The ritual involves using bel leaves, datura, Ganga water, and milk as important puja materials, anointing the Shivling with Panchamrit, offering Ghee-Shakkar to Lord Shiva, performing prayers and Aarti, and distributing Prasad upon the completion of Puja.

The month of Shraavan is uniquely marked by Hindus dedicating every Monday to the worship of Bhagwan Shiva. On these days, the devoted observers engage in fasting as a way of seeking Bhagwan Shiva's blessings for good health, prosperity, and harmonious marital life.

The ritual of 'Solah Somvar Vrat', fasting for 16 consecutive Mondays, is initiated by young girls and married couples from the first Monday of Shraavan.

The girls undertake this practice with the aspiration of being blessed with a good husband and a joyful married life, while married men and women pray for the well-being of their spouse and a harmonious marital relationship.

Fridays during the month of Shraavan hold a special significance as they are devoted to the worship of Maa Lakshmi.

Observers keep a fast from the first Friday of Shraavan until the last, imploring the Goddess's blessings for wealth and abundance. This year, the month of Shraavan will witness five Fridays.

The tradition extends to Saturdays of Shraavan, which are dedicated to Shani Dev. Devotees, particularly those going through the 'Sade Sati' or 'Shani Dasa' period, fast on these days to appease Shani Dev and seek his forgiveness and blessings.

Along with fasting, visiting the Shani temple, offering oil, whole urad dal, and sindoor to Shani Dev, and reciting the Shani Chalisa are significant practices. Male devotees follow an additional custom of not shaving or cutting their hair on Saturdays. The ritualistic fast begins on the first Saturday of Shraavan and continues for the next 15 Saturdays.

This festival, devoted to Shri Vishnu, falls on 13th July 2023. It is widely believed that keeping a fast on this day leads to liberation from sins and attainment of 'mukti' or liberation. The day is also known as Pavitra Ekadashi.

Celebrated on 19th August 2023, Hariyali Teej is one of the main festivals for Hindus, particularly women. It celebrates the divine couple, Bhagwan Shiva and Maa Parvati, and women fast and pray for a prosperous and happy marital life. The festival also involves the delightful tradition of mothers-in-law giving gifts and sweets to their daughters-in-law.

Slated to fall on 21st August 2023, Nag Panchami involves the worship of Bhagwan Shiva and serpent gods.

On this day, devotees seek divine protection against snakes and snake bites, offering milk and milk sweets, flowers, and Chandan to snakes, whether they are live snakes made of silver or images wrapped around the Shiv Linga.

This particular Ekadashi vrat, falling on 27th August 2023, is for married couples desiring to have a son. They worship Shri Vishnu for his blessings, and those who already have children observe a fast to seek Shri Vishnu's blessings for their offspring.

Celebrated on 25th August 2023, this festival involves fasting to please Maa Lakshmi. Devotees pray for blessings of wealth, prosperity, and abundance.

This major festival on 30th August 2023 features thousands of saffron-clad pilgrims traveling to Deoghar in Jharkhand for the Shraavani Mela. This time is also significant for the annual Kanwar Yatra, where devotees, known as Kanwarias, make a pilgrimage to the holy places of Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri in Uttarakhand.

Celebrated on 30th August 2023, Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is a major Hindu festival. Sisters tie a rakhi or thread around their brothers' wrists, praying for their long life and health. In return, brothers pledge to protect their sisters from any harm.

This festival on 31st August 2023 marks the end of the monsoon and is especially significant for the fishermen community. After this day, fishermen can resume their fishing activities, offering coconuts to Varun Dev and the sea as a request for safety.

Celebrated on 5th September 2023, Balaram Jayanti marks the birth of Krishna's elder brother, Balarama.

Krishna's birth is celebrated on 6th September 2023 as Krishna Janmashtami. This day, which falls on the 23rd day of Shraavana according to the Amanta tradition, is a grand celebration among Hindus worldwide, especially those from the Vaishnava traditions.

This festival on 14th September 2023 is unique to Maharashtra, where farmers respect and thank their bulls and oxen, acknowledging their crucial role in agriculture and farming. The festival falls on the last day or the new moon day of Shraavana.