“Shravan” The Month of Festivals

Shravana Masam or Shravan month also known as Sawan mahina, is very auspicious Hindu month. Each and everyday during the Shravana Mas has some significance. In 2010, Shravan month begins on 26th July and ends on 24th August in North Indian Hindi calendars. In Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada and Telugu Panchangam, Shravan mahina starts on 11th August and ends on 8th September.Shravan is considered the holiest month of the year. Each monday of this month, known as Shravana Somvar, is a special day in Shiva temples where the dharanatra hangs over the linga or the idol to bathe it with holy water, day and night. Devotees pile the linga high with Bel leaves and flowers and fast till sunset. Shravan month is a type of festival very highly considered as auspicious time. People are devotee of Lord Shiva, therefore they do fast (Somvar vrat) and went to temple as a devotee, pray to Lord Shiva. According to a legend the churning of oceans or Samudra Manthan took place in the month of Shravan and it is on a Somvar that Lord ShThiva drank the poison Hala Hala to save the world. In order to lessen the effect of poison the Devas had offered the Ganges water to Lord Shiva. Because of this on Shravana Somvar in Shiva Temples the Shivalinga is bathed with holy water day and night. Devotees pile the linga high with Bel leaves and flowers and fast till sunset. A 24 hour lamp also burns steadily in the temples. It is believed that one can please Lord Shiva in Shravan month by offering milk. It is considered highly auspicious to wear rudraksha beads in Shravan month