According to Hindu Calendar Śrāvaṇa (Sanskrit: श्रावण) is the fifth month of the calendar. According to India’s National Civil Calendar, the fourth month of the Hindu year is Śrāvaṇa, which begins in late July from the starting day of the full moon and ends in the 3rd week of August the day of the next full moon. In accordance with the Bengali and Tamil Calendar, it is noted as Āvani comes in the 5th month of the solar year. For the entire sub-continent of India, the month of Śrāvaṇa is very important as it is linked to the arrival of South-West monsoons. In Hindu mythology, the month of Śrāvaṇa is of fasting on Monday for Lord Shiva and fasting on Tuesday for Goddess Parvati. This month is locally noted as “Mangala Gauri Vrat”.
Why the name Śrāvaṇa?
In pursuance with metaphysics, astrophysics, and many different sciences which accord with energy, behavior, and interactions – they suggest all moving derives from the vibratory effect which influences other beings in the universe. It is entitled as Śrāvaṇa because it itself comes from the name of constellation “Śrāvaṇa” which appears in the skies either on full moon day or any other day during the month of Sawan. The entire month of Sawan is governed by the star “Śrāvaṇa”. It is considered an essential month around India for celebrating the arrival of rain and named Sawan.
The Significance of Shiva in Shravan Somwar
According to Hindu Calendar, Śrāvaṇa Maas is the 5th month of the year. This full month is dedicated to Lord Shiva and people pray to him and pleases him. It is the month of Shiva. A lot of people fast the entire Śrāvaṇa Month and pray to Shiva Lingam every day. There’s a story behind Śrāvaṇa Maas, it is said that when Samudra Manthan (the churning of oceans) occurred and in that 14 different kinds of rubies emerged. Out of fourteen rubies, thirteen were distributed among Devas (divine being) and Asuras (demons), apart from Halahala (poison). Shiva consumed poison that emerged from the ocean when it was refused by God and Demons. When these rubies emerged out of the ocean, the discernment was whatever comes out will be equally divided between Gods and Demons – but neither of them settled to accept poison. It was only Lord Shiva who gulped the Halahala and stored it in his throat. The poison was retained by Shiva in his neck as if it went down into the stomach, he would have died and if it was thrown out, the universe would get destroyed. To save the universe he clasps it in his neck and because of this, his neck turned blue in color. Ever since Lord Shiva is attributed with Neelkanth (meaning blue throat). It is believed that all Gods offered water from the Holy River Ganga to cool Lord Shiva and to palliate adverse effects of poison. The Crescent moon was worn by Lord Shiva on his head to abrogate the effects of poison. Ever since then this tradition continued as disciples continue to offer Gangajal to Lord Shiva and to get his benediction.
The Astrological Significance of the Śrāvaṇa Month
Shiva admirers, in the month of Sawan, worship Lord Shiva and please him by doing Rudrabhishekam Puja. In Shiva Purana, it is written that followers of Shiva who keep fast and worship him during the Sawan month, Shiva fulfills all their wishes. Worshipping Shiva helps in getting rid of the effects of bad planets and also gets rid of incurable diseases. Shiva eliminates the evil eye from you and also misfortunes occurring in life.
Below are some astrological remedies to be followed in Śrāvaṇa month:
• Siddha Peeth Puja while Chanting Om Namah Shivay – For peace and prosperity
• Wearing an armor of Rudraksha Garland – For elimination of negative energy
• Mahamrityunjaya Puja – For health related problems and financial constraints
• Offering Sugarcane Juice to Shivling – For reducing problems related to Mars
• Reciting Shiva Purana – For winning grace of Lord Shiva
Rituals to Follow in the Month of Śrāvaṇa
• To earn punya disciples should offer milk to Lord Shiva
• Use Rudraksha for Jaap’s and wear it in neck or wrist
• Offer Bhibhuti o Lord Shiva and smear it on forehead
• Offer Bael leaves and Panchamrit ( a mixture of milk , ghee, curd, honey and jiggery )
• Performing regular Aarti and Chant Shiv Chalisa
• Chanting Mahamrityunjay Mantra
• Fasting on all Śrāvaṇa Somvars
How Shravan Maas is Celebrated?
In different states, Śrāvaṇa is celebrated differently. In Northern states Śrāvaṇa Maas is celebrated 15 days earlier than Sourthern states. During Sawan Maas period, many communities abandon fresh green vegetables which contains insects in them to not kill them inadvertently. While sourthern states practice to have vegetarian diets as in rainy season makes it difficult to get sea food. Disciples keep fast during this month as it helps calm your mind and body.
How to Worship Shiva in Śrāvaṇa as per the Zodiac Signs
Aries – Aries native should offer curd, red gulal and flowers to Lord Shiva during Śrāvaṇa and chant Om Nageshwaraya Namah.
Taurus – Taurus Natives should offer mixed milk and water , sandalwood and white flowers to shivling. They should also recite Rudrashtak which will be fruitful.
Gemini – Gemini sign should offer pomegranate or sugarcane juice with sandalwood on bael leaves. They should Chant Om Namah Shivay.
Cancer – Cancer natives should offer ghee and sweets made of mawa and chant Om Somnathaya Namah.
Leo – Leo sunsign should ppor mixed water with jiggery on shivling . They should lit a lamp of cow’s ghee in fron of God. During sawan they should chant Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.
Virgo – The Virgo native should pour water or sugarcane juice (with Bel leaves) during Sawan Monday. Along with this, they should chant Om Namah Shivaya Mantra.
Libra – Libra natives should offer shrikhand, sandalwood and white sandalwood bilva leaves fragrant water or perfume to Lord Shiva. Along with this, they should recite Shiva Sahasranamams.
Scorpio – Scorpio natives should offer Panchamrit to Lord Shiva. They should recite Rudrashtak onn every Monday to solve business related problems.
Sagittarius – On every Monday of Sawan, Sagittarius should offer saffron mixed in cow’s milk on shivling and apply sandalwood on a bilvapatra and offer it. They should chant Panchakshari Mantra.
Capricorn – Capricorn natives should pour Kusha in water on every Monday of Sawan. They should donate wheat and chant the Panchakshari mantra and Om Namah Shivaya.
Aquarius – The natives of Aquarius should putsesame in water every Monday of Sawan and light a mustard oil lamp in front of God. With this, chant the Shadakshar Mantra of Lord Shiva eleven times.
Pisces – Pisces natives should offer turmeric mixed with milk or water on every Monday during Sawan and recite Shiva Tandava.
The festivals that follow during Śrāvaṇa month
1. Nag Panchami
Nag Panchami is celebrated in the month of Śrāvaṇa. Milk is offered to snakes on this day by people who believe in astrology. Snakes have special holy place in Shiva’s body. With his compassionate heart, he gave them the honour to be placed around his neck like a precious ornament. Nag Panchami puja is auspicious as snakes are considered divine creatures, according to Vedas.
2. Raksha Bandhan
This festival of Raksha Bandhan is to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters. ‘Raksha’ means protection, it is said that whoever protects you, you can tie a silk string to them as gratitude and promise of protecting you. A festival called Nariyal Poornima is also celebrated on the full moon. It is celebrated to respect the God Of Sea to calm down rainy season for their living.
Dates of Śrāvaṇa Maas for North Indian States
In 2021, Śrāvaṇa Maas will commence from July 25th, 2021 and will continue till August 22nd, 2021. This year, Śrāvaṇa will begin on Sunday and also will end on Sunday. There will be only four Sawan Mondays this year and dates of Śrāvaṇa 2021 are as under:
• Sawan Start Date 2021 – 25 July, Sunday
• First Sawan Monday – 26 July 2021
• Second Sawan Monday -02 August 2021
• Third Sawan Monday – 09 August 2021
• Fourth Sawan Monday – 16 August 2021
• Last day of Sawan 2021 – 22 August, Sunday
Apart from all Mondays, all Tuesdays (Mangalwar) in Śrāvaṇa month are dedicated to Goddess Parvati - a few devotees also keep fast on Tuesday during the holy month to please the consort of Lord Shiva.
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