What
is Shravan Month ?
Shravan
month is the fifth month of the Hindu calender beginning from
Chaitra, and is the most auspicious month of the Chaturmas.
On Purnima or fullmoon day, or during the course of the month
the star 'Shravan' rules the sky, hence the month is called
Shravan. This month is spread out with innumerably religious
festivals and ceremonies and almost all the days of this month
are auspicious.
Shravan
is considered the holiest month of the year. Each monday of
this month, known as Shravana Somvar, is a special day in Shiva
temples where the dharanatra hangs over the linga or the idol
to bathe it with holy water, day and night. Devotees pile the
linga high with Bel leaves and flowers and fast till sunset.
The nandadeep (24 hour lamp) burns steadily in the temples.
Importance
of Shravan Month
Legend
believe that when the churning of oceans - 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 the name Neelkantha (meaning
blue throat) is attributed to Shiva.To reduce the strong effect
of poison, Lord Shiva wore the crescent moon on his head. All
the Gods, thereafter started offering the Ganges water to Lord
Shiva to make lessen the effect of poison.
Since,
this happened in the month of Shravana, since then the Shiva
devotees offer the Ganges water in this month. It is considered
highly auspicious to wear a rudraksha in Shravan month. As,
Mondays or Somvars of Shravan month are specially observed with
austerity. All Mondays are devoted to the worship of Shiva as
this day is sacred to Lord Shiva. No other Mondays of other
months are so greatly honoured.The belief is that in Shravan
month, offering milk to Lord Shiva earns a lot of punya.
