Shravan Month 2022: Dates, Significance, Puja Vidhi & Fast Rituals

Dates and Timings of Shravan Somwar

Why the name Shravan?

Shravan mas is one of the holiest months of the year in the Hindu calendar. It is the fifth month of the year in the moon-based Hindu calendar. Are you wondering why this month is called Shravan? Well, there is a mythological belief behind it. On Poornima or a full moon day, or at any time during this month, the Shravan Nakshatra rules the skies; that’s why it is called Shravan month.

Shravan Month Legend

Sagar Manthan (The churning of the ocean) is a very important event in Hindu mythology. It is believed that the Sagar Manthan which took place in search of the immortalising nectar (the Amrit) happened during the month of Shravan mahina. During the churning, 14 different Gems (ratnas) came out from the ocean. The thirteen gems were divided between Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons). But Halahal, which came out after the 13 ratnas ​​was not accepted by anyone because it was the deadliest poison that could destroy the whole universe and every living being. Lord Shiva drank Halahal and kept the poison in his throat. Due to the effect of poison, his throat turned blue, and he came to be known as Neelkanth. 

Such was the effect of that poison that Lord Shiva put a crescent moon on his head, and all the gods started pouring water over Lord Shiva from the holy Ganges to reduce the effect of the poison.

Both these events took place in the month of Shravan, and hence worshipping and offering holy Ganges water to Lord Shiva in this month is considered very auspicious. . 

Rituals of Shravan Month

• Offering milk to Lord Shiva in the month of Shravan brings a lot of benefits.
• People wear Rudraksha and use it for chanting. If Rudraksha is worn by offering it to Lord Shiva, it can work more effectively.
• Offering Panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, butter or ghee, honey and jaggery) and bel leaves to the Shiva Linga also invites his grace.
• You can also chant Shiv Chalisa and do regular aarti of Lord Shiva.
• Chanting of Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is very auspicious.
• Besides, you should fast on all Shravan Mondays. Sawan Somvar fast can be very beneficial to a girl looking for a good husband.

Also Read: Do’s and Don’t during Shravan.

Significance Of Shravan

As already mentioned in the legend, once upon a time, all gods in the heavens and the demons of hell started churning an ocean. In search of elixir, they churned it for months, gaining all sorts of gifts which also had poison as a gift among them.

Now this poison was consumed by Lord Shiva, resulting in his throat turning blue as he held the poison in his throat. As to reduce the effects of poison, gods started offering water from the river of Ganges to Lord Shiva.

This whole scenario took place in Shravan month. Therefore, devotees believe that offering water and milk during this month help extinguish the fire that poison created in Lord Shiva’s body.

Prayers and other rituals are also performed to please Lord Shiva, as he is considered the kindest of them all. As mentioned before, some people consider fasting on Mondays, especially young women wanting good husbands. Chanting Lord Shiva’s name 108 times is also advantageous.

How Shravan Month is Celebrated?

The Shravan celebration differs for each state. In North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan Shravan is celebrated 15 days earlier than other South Indian states.

During this month, many communities in India like Jains abandon fresh greenery that contains insects in them to not kill them inadvertently. While states like Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka practice vegetarian diets as the rainy season makes it challenging to get seafood.

Devotees practice fast during this month as it helps calm your body and mind. If someone can not hold fast for a month, they do it every Monday of the month. As it is supposed to be the ruling deity Lord Shiva’s day. Some may fast on Tuesday also to appease the Goddess Parvati, his devout spouse. Lord Shiva has a huge contribution to how the celebration of Shravan maas started.

The Astrological Significance of the Shravan Month

Lord Shiva is also worshipped to get rid of the effects of bad planets and to get rid of incurable diseases which come with increasing age. If one is facing misfortune in life, or one is facing evil eye or if, then worshipping Shiva will remove all these problems.

Well, here are some astrological remedies which can be done in the month of Sawan, which can rid you of all kinds of problems.

• Establish a Siddha Peeth in the home temple and worship it regularly while chanting the Maha Mantra Om Namah Shivaya for peace and prosperity.
• If you are facing any problem due to negative energy, then wearing an armour made of Rudraksha garland in the month of Shravan will prove to be good. It will protect you and keep you healthy.
• If someone is having health-related problems, then Mahamrityunjaya Puja is very good in the month of Shravan. This may eliminate any disease of yours completely.
• If you are unable to conduct expensive worship due to financial constraints, then you can buy a Mahamrityunjaya Yantra, worship the yantra and chant the Mahamrityunjaya mantra for at least 3 hours by lighting a lamp.
• In the month of Shravan, if someone anoints Shivling with sugarcane juice or sweet water, it helps in reducing the problems related to Mars.
• Recite Shiv Purana in Sawan and donate it to any devotee of Shiva; it will help you win the grace of Lord Shiva.
• In the month of Shravan, regularly anoint Lord Shiva with coconut water in the Shiva temple and distribute coconut to the devotees.

Also Read: Benefits of Worshipping Shivlinga

How to Worship Shiva in Sawan as per the Zodiac Signs?

• Aries – Aries natives should anoint Shivling with curd during Sawan and chant Om Nageshwaraya Namah mantra while offering red gulal and flowers.
• Taurus – Every Monday during Sawan, Taurus natives should mix water in raw milk and offer it on Shivling. Along with this, offer curd, sandalwood and white flowers. During this, the recitation of Rudrashtak will also be fruitful.
• Gemini – On every Sawan Somwar, the people of Gemini sign should anoint Lord Shiva Shankar with pomegranate or sugarcane juice and offer them by applying white sandalwood on Bel leaves. During this, chant Om Namah Shivaya Mantra.
• Cancer – Cancer natives should anoint Shivling with pure ghee on every Shravan Monday and offer sweets made of mawa. Chant the mantra Om Somanathaya Namah.
• Leo – Leo natives should pour jaggery mixed water on Shivling every Monday during Sawan and chant Mahamrityunjaya Mantra. Besides, a lamp of cow’s ghee should also be lit in front of God.
• Virgo – The people of the Virgo sign should anoint Shivalinga by pouring sugarcane juice or water (with Bel leaves) during Sawan Monday. Along with this, you should chant Om Namah Shivaya Mantra.
• Libra – People of the Libra zodiac should offer perfume or fragrant water to Lord Shiva; along with this, recite Shiva Sahasranamams. Offer shrikhand, sandalwood and white sandalwood bilva leaves to Shiva.
• Scorpio – Scorpio natives should recite Rudrashtak on every Monday of Sawan by anointing Lord Shiva with Panchamrit. It solves all the business-related problems.
• Sagittarius – On every Monday of Sawan, you should anoint Shivling by mixing saffron in cow’s milk. With this, apply sandalwood on a bilvapatra and offer it to Shivling. Chant Panchakshari Mantra.
• Capricorn – Capricorn natives should anoint God by pouring Kusha in water on every Monday of Sawan. Donate wheat and chant the Panchakshari mantra Om Namah Shivaya
• Aquarius – The natives of Aquarius should anoint Shivling by putting sesame in water every Monday of Sawan and light a mustard oil lamp in front of God. With this, chant the Shadakshar Mantra of Lord Shiva eleven times.
• Pisces – Pisces natives should anoint the Lord with turmeric mixed with milk or water on every Monday during Sawan and recite Shiva Tandava.

Also Read: Shravan Puja Day According To Zodiac Signs

The Festivals that Follow during Shravan Month

Wrapping Up

Celebrate shravan 2022 with devotion and zest and have the blessing of Lord Shiva throughout your life.
Want to know which Rudrakash is beneficial for you? Talk to an expert astrologer