Shravan in 2017 - Sawan Month & Its Significance

Sawan: Most Auspicious Month of the Year

Shravan month in 2017 will start from July 10. Sawan 2017 will last until 7th of August. In Tamil calendar, it is known as Avni and is the fifth month of the solar calendar. Shravan month is considered to be the most auspicious month of the year. Shravan month is the fifth month from the hindu calendar and is dedicated to lord Shiva. Devotees throng to temples to offer prayers and keep fasts to seek his blessings during this month.

Shravana nakshatra is the birth star of Lord Vishnu and falls on the full moon day during this time. So, the month is named as Shravana. Everyday day of this month is considered auspicious to worship many deities, including Shiva, Vishnu, Parvati (gowri), Lakshmi and Krishna. Most religious pilgrims trek all the way to Haridwar on foot, bearing Kavar on their shoulders. Pilgrims gather in Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, offer prayers, take holy bath, collect Ganga Jal and return to their destinations. The Kanwar Mela is a holy gathering of spiritual people at Hari ki Pauri in Haridwar. The holy water from Ganga river is carried by the devotee and offered to lord Shiva in Neelkanth. Most devotees walk or trek to the temples from their homes with kavar on their shoulders.

Shravan Somvar Vrat

All Mondays of Shravan month are considered highly auspicious and is dedicated to lord Shiva.

Temples offer special prayers to lord Shiva and decorate the idol most beautifully. During this time the dharanatra hangs over the idol to bathe it with holy water all through the day and night. Many devotees observe fasting known as Shravan Somvar Vrats .

Below are the Shravan Somvar Vrat dates for north indian states which follow Purnimant calendar:

• Sawan Somvar Day I - 10 July 2017
• Sawan Somvar Day II - 17 July 2017
• Sawan Somvar Day III - 24 July 2017
• Sawan Somvar Day IV - 31 July 2017
• Sawan Somvar Day V - 7 August 2017

Below are the Shrawan Somvar Vrat dates for South Indian states which follow Amavasyant lunar calendar:

• July 24, 2017 - Shravan Somvar Vrat 1
• July 31, 2017 - Shravan Somvar Vrat 2
• August 7, 2017 - Shravan Somvar Vrat 3
• August 14, 2017 - Shravan Somvar Vrat 4
• August 21, 2017 - Shravan Somvar Vrat 5

Tuesdays of Shravan Month is dedicated to goddess Parvati and the fasting done on this day is known as the Mangal Gauri Vrat. Wednesdays of Shravan month is dedicated to lord Vishnu or Krishna. Thursdays of Shravan month is dedicated to worshiping Jupiter or Brihaspati. Fridays of Shravan month is dedicated to worshiping goddess Lakshmi and Tulsi. Saturdays of Shravan month is dedicated to worshipping Saturn (Shani). These days are also known as Sampat Shanivar . Sundays of Shravan month is dedicated to worshipping the Sun god.

Festivals During Sawan

Now let's take a look at the other special occasions and festivals in Shrawan month in 2017:

• Kamika Ekadashi - July 19, 2017
• Hariyali Teej - July 26, 2017
• Nag Panchami - July 27, 2017
• Shravana Putrada Ekadashi - August 3, 2017
• Raksha Bandhan - August 7, 2017

Rules to be Observed during Sawan Month

The following practises are strictly followed by many during Shravan:

• Using Rudraksh mala for Japa or meditation.
• Wearing a Rudraksh.
• Offering Lord Shiva vibhuthi and applying some on the forehead.
• Making offerings of bel leaves, panchamrut (a mixture made of milk, yogurt, butter, honey and jaggery) to lord Shiva.
• Performing fast on mondays to seek the blessings of lord Shiva. It is strongly believed that , if women fast on all mondays in Shravan month, they will be blessed with a good husband.
• Reciting Shiva Chalisa and offer aarti .
• Chanting maha Mrityunjaya Mantra.

The Story Behind Shravan Month

While celebrating Sawan, it is a good idea to know the legend associated with it. Legend has it that, to please the Goddess of wealth Mahalakshmi, the gods and demons churned the ocean and decided that whatever comes out would be divided equally between them. Fourteen different items came out of the ocean, of which thirteen were the most rarest of rare Rubies but one among them was the most deadliest poison called Halahal. Nobody was ready to take this item and this brought panic and chaos among the gods and demons. So to put an end to this situation Lord Shiva drank the poison. The poison was so strong that it turned his throat into a deep blue. Hence, emerged the name Neelkantha. Then, all the gods rushed to Lord Shiva to offer him Ganga Jal, to reduce the effects of the poison.

Since this event was held in the month of Shravan, the whole month is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Prayers and pujas are offered at temples. Wearing a rudraksha is considered very auspicious. During monsoon the Hindu community in the regions of Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka choose to go vegetarian. The availability of seafood becomes less during monsoon and also many believe that going without fish during the monsoon will lead to increase in its availability for the rest of the year.

Popular Culture & Sawan Month

Shravan (Monsoon) month has always been loved and welcomed by everyone . It is the time of rain and songs and fun. Many songs have got inspiration from this beautiful month . Songs on Radha-Krishna and on rains and greenery have been written. Some of the popular songs with this theme would be Sawan ka mahina pawan kare shor, Aaya Sawan Jhoom ke, Rim jhim gire Sawan, to name a few. Wish you a very Happy Shravan..!!!