The month of Shravan or Sawan is dedicated to lord Shiva. It is considered to be the favourite month of lord Shiva. Each day during this month is auspicious for worshipping Shambhu. It is starting on July 6 and will last till August 3 in northern India. During the entire month of Shravan, fasting and offering prayers to Shiva is done. Since Mondays of this month are considered to be important, most of the fasting is done on this day also known as Somvar Vrat.
According to Hindu beliefs, it was during Shravan month that lord Shiva drank poison which had originated during Samudra Manthan (churning of ocean by gods and demons to obtain Amrit from ocean) to help out the other gods and protect the world from its ill- effects. He kept the poison in his throat due to which it turned out blue and he became famous as ‘Neelkanth’. To douse the poison’s effect, the grateful gods offered water and devotees today too offer water to the Shivlinga with the same belief. This is why an entire month is dedicated to lord Shiva and he is worshipped
Sawan is the month of monsoon and the opportunity to experience nature’s beauty. It is one month in the year which is prosperous and filled with auspiciousness. Since it is the most auspicious period, one can take advantage of it by performing Shravan Mass Shiv Puja to seek the blessings of lord Shiva and goddess Parvati.
Fasting for lord Shiva on Mondays during Shravan month helps in fulfillment of desires and removes obstacles by expelling negativity. One should offer Panchamrit (a mixture of curd, milk, ghee, honey and jaggery) and bael leaves to the Shivlinga. A devotee should also chant the Shiva Chalisa and perform regular aarti of the lord. It is also good to wear Rudraksha as it is the most auspicious period to wear it. One should also perform ‘Rudra Abhishek’ on Shravan Somvar with milk to reduce health problems. It is also believed that visiting a lake or any river, feeding fish with flour dough balls while thinking of lord Shiva will enhance financial condition. For those facing health issues, chanting the Mahamrityunjay Mantra 108 times daily is believed to be beneficial. For those facing problems in marital life, offering saffron milk to Shivlinga is believed to invoke the blessings of lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. Further, to attract prosperity and success, feed fresh green grass to cows and buffaloes. Feeding the poor daily with affection is supposed to bring peace to the souls of ancestors while also bringing peace and prosperity in the person’s life. Sprinkling fresh Gaumutra at home and workplace is believed to bring in positive energy and success.
There are also certain things considered inauspicious while worshipping Shiva. One should not apply kumkum or vermillion on the Shivlinga and use sandalwood paste instead to worship him. Generally Tulsi is considered very auspicious but offering it to lord Shiva is proscribed. Since Shankh (conch shell) is the symbol of demon Shankhchood who was killed by Shiva, water is not from a conch to Shiva. It is also better to refrain from consuming non-vegetarian food during the month of Shravan.
(The writer is an astrologer and a Vastu consultant)