Of all the months, Shravan Maas (July-August) is considered most auspicious. It is the fifth month of solar year and is also known as ‘Avani’ in the Tamil scriptures. As per Vedic astrology, when Sun enters the zodiac Leo, Shravan Maas is said to set in. As per lunar calendar, Shravan sets in on the New Moon Day.
On Full Moon Day (Punam or Purninma), the divine firmament (sky) is under the celestial sovereignty of Shravan Nakshtra (one of twenty seven Nakshatras). Therefore it is called Shravan. Each day during this month is auspicious for worshipping Shambhu (Shiva). Prayers and Vedic rituals are performed in Lord Shiva temples in order to please Him. Shravan Maas is also a holy month filled with other festivals such as Naga-Panchami, Govatsa, Shravani Purnima , Vara Lakshmi Vrata, Rishi Panchami, Raksha Bandhan, Kalkyavatara and Putradaikadashi.
Northern states such as Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and others celebrate fifteen days before the southern states celebrate.
Since it is the most auspicious period, one can take advantage of it by performing Shravan Maas Shiva Puja.During this month, the cosmos is super charged with Shiva tattvas (Shiva elements) that purify the mind, the senses, the body and the self (Soul) through the rituals dedicated to Lord Shiva. Following pujas can be performed under qualified Brahmins.
On Full Moon Day (Punam or Purninma), the divine firmament (sky) is under the celestial sovereignty of Shravan Nakshtra (one of twenty seven Nakshatras). Therefore it is called Shravan. Each day during this month is auspicious for worshipping Shambhu (Shiva). Prayers and Vedic rituals are performed in Lord Shiva temples in order to please Him. Shravan Maas is also a holy month filled with other festivals such as Naga-Panchami, Govatsa, Shravani Purnima , Vara Lakshmi Vrata, Rishi Panchami, Raksha Bandhan, Kalkyavatara and Putradaikadashi.
Northern states such as Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and others celebrate fifteen days before the southern states celebrate.
Since it is the most auspicious period, one can take advantage of it by performing Shravan Maas Shiva Puja.During this month, the cosmos is super charged with Shiva tattvas (Shiva elements) that purify the mind, the senses, the body and the self (Soul) through the rituals dedicated to Lord Shiva. Following pujas can be performed under qualified Brahmins.
Significance of Shravan Maas:
Devotees observe austerities, fasts and prayers in this holy month of Shravan. This is the time when Lord Shiva drank the poisonous Halahala that emanated from Samudra Manthan between the Devas and Asuras for the quest of the Nectar (ambrosia). During the Manthan, the ocean produced lots of valuables such as gemstones, Goddesses riches, cows, bows, the Moon, conch etc. which were taken up by gods and demons. Fourteen different gems emerged from the ocean which were divided them. When the Ocean produced the deadliest poison called Halahala, all of them cringed back as it was too dangerous to destroy the universes. It was Shiva who decided to drink it to save the world. His devout wife saw him taking Halahala, she at once held His throat so that the poison wouldn’t go down. As a result His throat turned blue and He was called Neelkantha.
Spiritual Activities During Shravan
One must engage in devotional activities such as worship, Sadhanas, meditaion or bhajans at home or in Shiva temples. One must visit Shiva temples during this month. Each day of this month carries spiritual significance
- Monday: is the day to worship Lord Shiva.
- Tuesday: women worship Gauri for the better health of their family.
- Wednesday: is dedicated to Vithala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu or Krishna.
- Thursdays: are for worshiping Buddh and Guru.
- Friday: for worshiping Lakshmi and Tulsi.
- Saturdays: are for Saturn (Shani Dev). These days are also known as Shravan Saturdays or Sampat Sanivara (wealth Saturdays) as one can pray for obtaining wealth.
- Sundays: are for the Sun god. Sun worship was common practice in the Vedic period and it is followed even now. Especially in Shravan, every Sunday the Sun is worshipped.
The dates of important festivals and auspicious days in Shravan Maas 2016 are:
- Madhushrava Tritiya – August 5
- Durva Ganapati Vrat – August 6
- Nag Panchami – August 7
- Kalki Jayanti - August 8
- Sheetala Saptami – August 10
- Varalakshmi Vrat – August 12
- Rig Shravani – August 18
- Narali Purnima and Raksha Bandhan – August 18
Things to do in Shravan Maas
Since Shravan Mass is highly auspicious as per Vedas, you can engage in activities that add to your devotion to Shiva.
Rudra Abhishek And Homa:
Rudra’ means the one who is terribly infuriated, which is one of the divine qualities of Lord Shiva who displays it while performing His cosmic dance, Tandava for the annihilation of creations. Shiva, by the virtue of this quality, is called Rudra. Abhishek means a method of worship offered to the Divine for cleansing all the misgivings, sins of the worshiper.
Performing Shiva Abhishek includes the offerings of Panchamrit (mix of milk, honey, sugar, ghee and curd, Ganga jal, ghee, Bael Patra (Bilva leaves), Dhatura and other sacred items dear to Lord Shiva.
Rudra Abhishek and Homa purifies your mind and body, offers peace, fulfills your desires and enlightens your soul.
Performing Shiva Abhishek includes the offerings of Panchamrit (mix of milk, honey, sugar, ghee and curd, Ganga jal, ghee, Bael Patra (Bilva leaves), Dhatura and other sacred items dear to Lord Shiva.
Rudra Abhishek and Homa purifies your mind and body, offers peace, fulfills your desires and enlightens your soul.
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