Shravan: The Month of Lord Shiva

 

Lord Shiva

Shravan is the fifth month of Hindu calendar beginning from Chaitra. This month is considered highly auspicious for praying to Lord Shiva. It is believed that worshiping Lord Shiva during this month is considered more powerful than worshiping during normal days. During this month many Hindus observe fasts and perform pujas , especially on Monday. The fasts done on Monday are known as Shravan Somwar. It is believed fasting especially on Mondays help unmarried girls get perfect husbands. Each day in the month of Shravan has a special significance and other deities are worshiped too.
Mythology Says:
The story says that when the churning of oceans or Samudra Manthan took place in the month of Shravan, fourteen different types of rubies came out. Thirteen of these were distributed amongst the demons, except Halahal (poison). Lord Shiva drank the Halahal and stored it in his throat. Hence Lord Shiva is also called as Neelkantha (meaning blue throat). To reduce the effect of poison Lord Shiva wore the crescent moon on his head to and also 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 shivlinga with Bel leaves and flowers and fast till sunset. A 24 hour lamp also burns steadily in the temples. It is believed Lord Shiva is pleased in Shravan month by offering milk and we get lot of punyaby doing it. It is considered highly auspicious to wear rudraksha beads in Shravan month.
As, Mondays or Somvars of Shravan month are specially observed with asceticism. Monday is the sacred day to Lord Shiva hence people worship him. No other Mondays of other months are so greatly honoured.
Importance of Shravan Weekdays
Each day in the month of Shravan has a special significance and has its own ritual.
Monday: is the day of Lord Shiva worship.
Tuesday: Gauri is worshipped in every home, by women for the good health of their family.
Wednesday: is dedicated to Vithala, a form of Vishnu or Krishna.
Thursday: is also a day for worshipping Buddh and Guru.
Friday: every home worships Lakshmi and Tulsi.
Saturday: is for Saturn (Shani). It is also known as Shravan Saturday, with the object of obtaining wealth. This day is also known as Sampat Shanivara (wealth Saturday).
Sunday: the day of Sun god. Sun worship was general in the past and even in present it is so. Especially in Shravan, every Sunday the Sun is worshipped without fail.