India is a land of rich and diverse cultural heritage and traditions. Most of the festivals in India are related to the different seasons. Shrawan or Sawan, as per Hindu traditions, refers to an auspicious month during the rainy season, which falls after the month of Ashadh. The Hindus devote the entire month to the worship of Lord Shiva and seek His blessings.
This year the month of Sawan starts from 26th of July. At times there is a confusion regarding the actual date of commencement of the Hindu Months. A difference of fifteen days can be explained in terms of different Calendars based respectively upon solar or lunar cycles. Even the dates of the lunar calendars differ depending upon the calculation based on full-moon or new moon. The full-moon or Purnimanta calendar, for example, commences fifteen days before the Amanta calendar. The north-Indian states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand etc. usually follow the Purnimanta calendar, whereas the South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujrat, Karnatka and Tamil Nadu etc. follow the Amanta Calendar. Interestingly, in Nepal and in parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the solar calendar is followed. Hence, the dates of festivities differ in these regions.
Each day of the Sawan month is considered very auspicious by the devotees who observe fast. In particular, every Monday the devotees offer holy water (Jal Abhishek) to Lord Shiva in temples to seek His blessings. Traditionally, the devotees take pilgrimage to fetch water from various holy rivers near their locality for the Jal Abhishek of their favorite God. For that, they carry small pots in a Kaanwar – a specially made and highly decorated holder usually made of bamboo – which they carry on their shoulders. Such devotees, thus, are known as Kaanwaria. At times they travel to far off places like Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch holy water of the river Ganges.
Kaanwar Yatra is widely popular in the northern and eastern part of India. There is a long trail of devotees chanting Bol-Bam and singing Shiva bhajans in praise of Lord Shiva. These days the state administration, in association with volunteer organizations, arrange for numerous resting places and foods points along the route of the Kaanwar Yatra for the devotees. For the convenience of the commuters and Kaanwaria, the administration makes special arrangements for traffic management.
Fasting Dates of Sawan:
First Monday: July 26; Second Monday: August 2; Third Monday: August 9; Fourth Monday: August 16.
Rainy season ushers into greenery which sets up the mood for festivity. A prominent festival of this season is Sawan Teej, popularly known as the Hariyali Teej. This festival holds the same significance as the Karwa Chauth because it is believed that Lord Shiva accepted Goddess Parvati as his wife on this day. On Hariyali Teej married women wear green coloured dresses and Bangles – a sign of blissful marriage, and celebrate by singing traditional songs, dancing and even organizing merry-swings.
The Tuesdays of Shravan month are dedicated to the Goddess Parvati – the consort of Lord Shiva. Every Tuesday in the Shravan month, married women observe fast known as the Mangala Gauri Vrat.
Some Do’s and Don’ts during Shravan month:
Do’s
- Fast during the entire month if possible, on every Monday
- Eat fruits, fasting meals and drink lots of water
- Chant “Om Namah Shivay” and “Maha Mrutyunjay Mantra” during fast
- Visit Lord Shiva’s Temple every morning to offer water of a mixture of milk , ghee, Gangajal and honey also known as Panchamrit along with Bilva leaves
- Wear Rudraksh– the most auspicious seed
- Read or listen to the Shravan Somvar Vrat Katha to fulfill your all dreams
Don’ts
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food
- Do not consume alcohol or other intoxicating products
- Avoid using onion and garlic in your food
- Try not to break fasting in between
- Avoid eating brinjal or eggplant