Sawan Month 2023: Significance, Fasting, Puja, and Legends

Sawan month begins on Tuesday, July 4 and ends on Thursday, August 31 this year. This Sawan will be rare because Adhik Shrawan Maas would extend the auspicious season of Shrawan to two months for the first time in 19 years.

The History Of Sawan Month

Sawan, also known as Shravan, is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar. It is a very important month in the Hindu faith, as it is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. Sawan is a time for introspection, purification, and spiritual growth. It is also a time for celebrating the monsoon season, which is a time of great fertility and abundance.

The history of Sawan month is long and complex. There are many different stories and legends about the origin of this month, but the most popular one is the story of the Samudra Manthan.

The Samudra Manthan was a great churning of the ocean that took place in the ancient world. The churning was undertaken by the gods and the demons, who were trying to obtain the Amrita, or nectar of immortality. During the churning, many different things emerged from the ocean, including the sun, the moon, the serpent Vasuki, and the Halahal, a deadly poison.

The Halahal was so poisonous that it threatened to destroy the entire world. Lord Shiva, who is known for his ability to consume poison, took the Halahal into his throat. The poison burned his throat, turning it blue, and gave him the name Neelkantha, or “the blue-throated one.”

The gods were so grateful to Lord Shiva for saving the world from the Halahal that they offered him prayers and worship. This is said to be the origin of the Sawan month, which is a time for Hindus to worship Lord Shiva and seek his blessings.

In addition to the story of the Samudra Manthan, there are many other legends about the origin of Sawan month. One legend says that the month was named after the Shravan Nakshatra, or star constellation, which is prominent in the sky during this time. Another legend says that the month was named after the river Shravasti, which is said to be a sacred river for Hindus.

Regardless of its origin, Sawan month is a very important month in the Hindu faith. It is a time for spiritual growth, purification, and celebration. Hindus all over the world observe Sawan month by fasting, praying, and visiting temples. They also make offerings to Lord Shiva, such as milk, water, and flowers.

Sawan month is a time of great joy and happiness for Hindus. It is a time to come together with family and friends to celebrate the monsoon season and to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Sawan Puja Vidhi

There are many different ways to worship Lord Shiva during Sawan, but one of the most popular is to perform a puja, or ritual worship. The puja can be performed at home or at a temple, and it typically involves the following steps:

Purification

The first step in any puja is to purify oneself. This can be done by taking a bath, wearing clean clothes, and applying a tilak, or sacred mark, on the forehead.

Acquiring the necessary materials

The next step is to gather the necessary materials for the puja. These materials will vary depending on the specific puja you are performing, but some common items include:

A Shivling, or representation of Lord Shiva
Ganga water, or holy water from the Ganges River
Milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and sugar, which together make up the panchamrit, or five sacred substances
Belpatra, or leaves of the bel tree, which are considered to be very sacred to Lord Shiva
Datura, or a type of flower that is also considered to be sacred to Lord Shiva
Fruits, flowers, and other offerings

Performing the puja

The actual puja is performed in front of the Shivling. The worshiper will first offer the panchamrit to the Shivling, and then they will offer the other materials, such as the belpatra and the datura. They will also chant mantras, or sacred syllables, and offer prayers to Lord Shiva.

Sawan Puja Samagri

In addition to the steps outlined above, there are also a few other things that you will need to have in order to perform a puja to Lord Shiva during Sawan. These items are known as the sawan puja samagri, and they include:

A copper or brass vessel
A small bell
A plate or tray
A lamp
Incense sticks
Ghee
Sugar
Rice
Flowers
Fruits

Benefits of Sawan Puja

There are many benefits to performing a puja to Lord Shiva during Sawan. Some of these benefits include:

Attaining moksha, or liberation from the cycle of reincarnation
Achieving all of your desires
Gaining peace of mind and inner happiness
Overcoming obstacles and challenges
Improving your health and well-being

Sawan Somwar Vrat

Sawan Somwar Vrat is observed in order to appease Lord Shiva and seek his blessings. It is believed that those who observe the fast will be granted their wishes, and will be blessed with good health, happiness, and prosperity.

The fast is observed in a variety of ways. Some people choose to fast from all food and water, while others choose to fast from only certain foods. Some people also choose to perform special pujas or rituals on Mondays during Sawan.

No matter how the fast is observed, it is a time for Hindus to focus on their devotion to Lord Shiva and to seek his blessings. The month of Sawan is also a time for people to come together and celebrate their faith.

Here are some of the benefits of observing Sawan Somwar Vrat:

It is believed to grant the devotee’s wishes.
It is said to bring good health, happiness, and prosperity.
It is a way to show devotion to Lord Shiva.
It is a time for spiritual introspection and reflection.
It is a way to connect with other Hindus and celebrate their faith.

If you are considering observing Sawan Somwar Vrat, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, it is important to consult with your doctor before starting any new fast. Second, you should make sure to stay hydrated, even if you are only fasting from food. Finally, you should be respectful of other people’s beliefs, even if you do not share them.

Sawan Somwar Vrat is a beautiful tradition that has been observed by Hindus for centuries. If you are looking for a way to connect with your faith and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva, then Sawan Somwar Vrat is a great option.

Here are some tips for observing Sawan Somwar Vrat:

Start by cleaning your home and bathing before the fast.
Wear clean clothes and avoid wearing makeup or jewelry.
Offer prayers to Lord Shiva and recite mantras.
Fast from all food and water, or fast from only certain foods.
Perform special pujas or rituals on Mondays during Sawan.
Spend time in meditation or contemplation.
Give to charity or help those in need.
Celebrate the end of the fast with a feast.

Kavad Yatra

The Kanwar Yatra, also known as the Kavad Yatra, is an annual Hindu pilgrimage that takes place in the month of Shravan (July-August) in the Gregorian calendar. The journey is undertaken by devotees of Shiva to fetch holy water from the Ganges River and offer it at temples dedicated to the god.

The Kanwar Yatra is a major religious event in India, and millions of people participate in it each year. The most popular routes for the pilgrimage are from Haridwar and Gaumukh in Uttarakhand to temples in Bihar, such as Deoghar and Sultanganj.

The Kanwar Yatra is a physically demanding journey, and pilgrims often walk for hundreds of kilometers carrying a kavad, a wooden pole with two containers of water attached to it. The kavad is a symbol of Shiva’s trident, and the water it carries is believed to have purifying and healing powers.

The Kanwar Yatra is a time of great spiritual and communal bonding for Hindus. Pilgrims often sing hymns and devotional songs as they walk, and they may also stop to rest and socialize at temporary camps along the way. The journey is seen as an opportunity to cleanse the body and mind, and to gain blessings from Shiva.

The Kanwar Yatra is a vibrant and colorful event, and it is a major tourist attraction in India. The streets are filled with pilgrims, and the air is filled with the sound of Bhajan and chanting. The Kanwar Yatra is a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

Here are some additional information about the Kanwar Yatra:

The Kanwar Yatra is a centuries-old tradition, and it is mentioned in Hindu scriptures.
The journey is not only a religious pilgrimage, but it is also a way to promote social harmony and to provide relief to those in need.
During the Kanwar Yatra, pilgrims often donate money to charity and help to clean up the environment.
The Kanwar Yatra is a time of great joy and celebration, and it is a reminder of the power of faith.

Conclusion

Sawan month is a very important month in the Hindu faith. It is a time for spiritual growth, purification, celebration, and worship. Hindus all over the world observe Sawan month with great devotion and enthusiasm.