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Importance of Sawan: Dos and Don'ts for devotees during 'Shravan'

ByWebindia123 Editor 10.7.2023         Mail Now X   Post Comments

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The fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar, 'Sawan' (July-August), also known as 'Shravan', is one of the holiest months of the year for Hindus.

'Chaturdashi' of every month i.e the 14th day (Tithi) of the waxing phase or waning phase of the moon is observed as Shivratri or Masik Shivratri. Chaturdashi is the day prior to new moon (Amavasya) or full moon (Pournami). The Shivratri, that falls during the Shravan month is called Saawan Shivratri, and holds special significance to the worship of Lord Shiva. Sawan Shivratri is celebrated with much fervour and enthusiasm in the North Indian states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar. Temples across North India perform puja and Shiva darshan during Sawan month.

'Sawan Shivratri'- History and significance

It is believed that Lord Shiva got married to Parvati on this day. Every Monday during this period is regarded as a highly auspicious time to fast and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. During Sawan Shivratri, Lord Shiva is worshipped all over the country, While married women wish for a happy marital life, unmarried women pray for a suitable life partner just like Lord Shiva. Tuesdays of Sawan are dedicated to Goddess Parvati as Mangala-Gauri Fast/Vrat. According to the Hindu religion, worshipping Lord Shiva and Parvati in all the four prahars on the day of Shivaratri gives courage, dharma, artha, kama and moksha in life. 

Here are some of the Do's and Don'ts one should keep in mind while fasting

A day before Shivratri fasting, devotees eat only once and observe a full-day fast the next day. On this day, devotees perform Shiv Puja in the evening after taking a second bath but break the fast only on the next day after sunrise and before the Chaturdashi tithi ends.

- After rising early in the morning, devotees should bathe and clean their Puja rooms. After sprinkling some Ganga Jal, they should gather the items for puja such as water, milk, sugar, ghee, curd, honey, janeu (sacred thread), sandalwood, flowers, bel leaves, clove, cardamom, sweets, etc and chant Shiv mantras.
- Devotees who undertake fast can break their fasts and have the 'vrat meal' in the evening
- Devotees who keep the fast must abstain from eating garlic and onions.
- It is considered sinful to consume alcohol during the Sawan period.
- It is also not advisable to consume non-vegetarian items including dairy, fish and eggs during this period as they represent the death of living things. Using turmeric and tulsi leaves during Lord Shiva worship is also not recommended.

Additionally, Kanwar Yatra is a significant ritual during this period. People gather water from sacred rivers for this rite and place it in little mud pots known as Kanwars.

Devotees don saffron-coloured clothes while carrying the holy water and walk on foot to visit temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees who are termed Kanwariyas visit places like Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand, and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch the holy water of River Ganga and then worship the God with that water.

Some years, Shravan period stretches for two months instead of the usual one-month long period. Previously, an almost two-month-long Shravan period was observed approximately 19 years ago. According to the Hindu Calendar, an extra month is added every three years when the Sun changes its zodiac sign, or transits from one zodiac to another. This transit is also known as Sankranti. As a result, there are 12 Sankranti in a solar year, and the month with no Sankranti is termed as Malmas or Adhikmas. Typically, no auspicious or new tasks or rituals are performed during this month. Malmas will begin on July 18, 2023 and end on August 16, 2023 this year.

This year Sawan will last for 58 days, from July 4 to August 31. July 10 marks the first fasting Monday of 2023, while August 28 marks the last Monday fast of the period.

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