What is the importance of Shravan Maas, the Hindu Holiest month?

Hindus are familiar with the month of Shravan. You can also call it Sawan month. It is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar and is considered an auspicious month. It holds a special place in every Indian's heart. 

According to Vedas, this month is described as Nabhas ( It means shravan nakshatra takes total control by appearing in the sky). Sawan Purnima, the full moon day during Shravan month, aligns with the birth star of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu's Shravan nakshatra. It is why this month is called Sravana mass and is considered significant. 

In the Indian subcontinent, Shravan maas marks the beginning of the southwest monsoon. It is going to overlap with July-August month. The entire month is dedicated to Lord Shiva. During this month, you might experience coolness and chilly weather due to rainfall. But, the complete nature seems to be alive and fresh. 

The story behind the Shravan maas celebration in Hindu scriptures

There is a great story behind the celebration of Sawan month. The time when Gods(Devas) and Demons(Asuras) churned the ocean called Samudra Manthan for extracting immortality Nectar(Amrit), the things that emerged were both good and bad. Among them, one of them was poison. 

It was when gods approached Lord Shiva for help. To save the world, God shiva arrived and consumed poison. The Goddess Parvathi Devi, the wife of Lord Shiva, held the throat to prevent the poison from going down further. So the poison got trapped in his throat, which turned blue, which is why Lord Shiva is also called Neelakantha. Lord Shiva was offered Ganga water to cool down the poison and alleviate the poison’s ill effects. 

It is the main reason for dedicating the whole month to worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. All devotees observe fasts for a prosperous and peaceful life. Few individuals also do puja of Lord Krishna, Goddess Lakshmi, Balarama, etc., during Shravan Masam. 

Why Shravan month is essential and auspicious?

Hindus consider Shravan month sacred and holiest because it is highly fruitful for doing good deeds. Based on Hindu Puranas, arranging for house warming in this month is promising and significant. According to astrology, it is depicted that the ones who are born in Shravan month are incredibly honored by the entire world. Lord Krishna is worshipped in Sawan month as he was born in Sravana mass. Not only Sri Krishna, but even the Lord Hayagriva, Vaikhanas Maharshi, and Vaikhanas Aagama Pravaktha are also revered. 

This month is also treated as highly auspicious to perform marriages. The rains bless the grounds during Shravan maas which are indirectly related to fertility rituals. Hence it says that any girl who gets married during this time will be blessed with healthy kids. These are some reasons why Shravan month is considered important and propitious. 

The significance of each day in Shravan month 

Every day in shravan month is essential as each day in the week is dedicated to worshiping specific Gods and Goddesses. 

Monday - The sawan monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva. So devotees observe fasting to honor God shiva. 

Tuesday - Females keep Mangala Gauri Vrat on this day as it's devoted to Goddess Gauri.

Wednesday - On this day, the devotees are committed to worship Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna

Thursday - This day is dedicated to Lord Buddha.

Friday - Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Married women perform varalakshmi vratam, also called shravana shukravar vrat, for their family's well-being. 

Saturday - This day is devoted to Lord Shani. Many people perform shravan shaniwar vrat to eradicate the harmful effects of Lord Shani. 

Sunday - It is the day specially dedicated to Suryadev.

Festivals celebrated in shravan month

Naga Panchami

It is the auspicious day when people offer milk to snakes. This is because they think serpents are holy species as they have a special place in Lord Shiva’s body. It is said that snakes went to Lord Shiva to complain about men who despise their race. So God Shiva, who understood their pain, decided to give them honour by placing them around his neck as a precious accessory. 

Varalakshmi Vrata

The prominent ritual celebrated by married women in South India and Maharashtra is varalakshmi pooja. It can be performed on all Fridays, but it will be best to celebrate it on the Friday that falls before Pournami in shravan month. 

There are different stories made to do this ritual. One of the stories is of charumati. Observing her dedication toward her family and husband. Goddess Lakshmi appeared in her dream and asked her to perform varalakshmi vrat. Lakshmi Devi also explained varalakshmi vratham pooja vidhanam. 

With Goddess Lakshmi's guidance, Charumati invited all relatives, neighbours, and friends. She got varalakshmi pooja items and learned pooja vidhanam for performing varalakshmi vrata. Along with her, the women who attended the puja were blessed with prosperity and wealth. 

Raksha Bandhan

One of the biggest festivals performed in shravan masam is rakhi, also called raksha bandan. It is the day which honours the bond between a brother and sister. According to the Hindu calendar, it is observed on full moon day(shravan purnima). 

On this day, sisters tie rakhi, a sacred thread, to the right-hand wrist of their brothers by doing specific rituals as a symbol of security and protection.  

Krishna Janmashtami

It is one of the major Hindu festivals which marks Lord Krishna’s birth anniversary. He is the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Janmashtami is also called Gokul Ashtami, which represents togetherness and faith.  

Do’s and Don’ts in sawan month

Most devotees observe fast in shravan month. Here are some do’s and don’ts to be followed this month.

Do’s

• Devotees must eat permitted foods like sweet potato, nuts, rajgiri atta, and sabudana.
• People consume food made using milk like tea, burfi, and curd.
• The devotees worship Lord Shiva by waking up early in the morning. 
• Few people eat food once or twice based on an individual’s strength.

Don’ts

• Devotees won’t eat non-veg and eggs.
• They also don’t eat food made of onion and garlic.
• They don’t break their fast in the middle.

Conclusion

So, the things discussed here depict why shravana month is auspicious and significant. Worshipping Lord Shiva in this month helps one gain progress and peace spiritually. If you are the one facing problems in your life, doing puja to Lord Shiva in this holiest month will surely help you overcome the life challenges.