The holy month of Shravan, also known as Sawan, has arrived, and with it come several significant fasts and celebrations. The entire month is considered sacred by Hindus, and offerings to Lord Shiva and Parvati are made every day. Those who follow the Sawan Somwar fast are said to be blessed with good luck, prosperity, money, and the fulfilment of desires and are hence extensively observed by Lord Shiva worshippers throughout the nation. On these Mondays of the Hindu lunar month of Shravan, unmarried girls pray for a good husband while married women pray for the well-being of their families.
The first day of Sawan this year was July 4th, and the last day will be August 31st. On July 10th, the first Sawan Somwar fast will begin, and on August 28th, 2023, the fast will end.
Significance
Vrats (fasting on Mondays) is a key part of the Sawan month. Devotees do fasting till sundown and light Diyas every night throughout this month. There is a religious significance to the Sawan Somwar fast, but it also provides a significant chance to recover the digestive system. We may improve our health and our ability to meditate and worship Lord Shiva by eating more satwik foods such as vegetables and fruits, nuts and seeds, and dairy products like milk, curd, and paneer.
Vedic astrologers believe that when the Sun moves into the sign of Leo, the month of Sawan begins. According to the Lunar Calendar, the New Moon marks the beginning of the sacred month. It is thought that during this sacred month, the cosmic components associated with Shiva are amplified, resulting in a purification of the individual on all levels.
Rituals and Festivals
Milk, holy Ganga water, flowers, fruits, and bael leaves are brought to the temple every Monday of the month as offerings to Shiva. The goddess Parvati receives special worship on Tuesdays. During this month, followers of Drik Panchang observe the Tuesday fast known as Mangal Gauri Vrat.
Kanwar Yatra
The Kanwar Yatra is an important part of the celebration of the holy month of worshipping Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. The Kanwariyas who take part wear their traditional saffron robes and walk barefoot to several religious destinations in Uttarakhand and Bihar, including Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri. They’re on their way to the Ganga to collect holy water, a pilgrimage that represents their devotion to Lord Shiva.
Important Dates
The Sawan festival will run for 59 days this year, with eight Sawan Mondays instead of the usual four.
Sawan Start Date: July 4, 2023
First Sawan Somwar: July 10, 2023
Sawan Adhik Maas Start Date: July 18, 2023
Sawan Adhik Maas End Date: August 16, 2023
Last or Eighth Sawan Somwar: August 28, 2023
Sawan End Date: August 31, 2023
