Shravan
Month Festivals
Naga-Panchami:
One of the first main important day is the Naga-Panchami which
falls on the fifth day of Shravan and is held in honour of Nagas
or snakes. Hindus deify snakes and regard them with veneration.
This may be due to their association with the Gods. Shesha or
Ananta, the thousand hooded king of serpents forms the couch
for Lord Vishnu. The King of serpents Vasuki adorns the neck
of Lord Shiva forming a crest over the Lord. This day is dedicated
to snakes and they are worshipped with milk and fruits. Snake
worship is quite common specially in South India where there
are shrines in many houses where the householder feed the serpents.
Kalkyavatara:
The Kalki Avatara falls on Shravan sukla (the light half) sixth.
This anticipatory incarnation is also known as Nishkalankavatara
(Stainless) and is yet to occur and the month and the day is
already foretold. In the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata, the
coming Kalki has been hailed as when unrighteousness will leave
and righteousness will be established. This day, though not
celebrated, is noted for the future emancipation of mankind.
Putradaikadashi:
(Son giving eleventh) falls on Shravan sukla (light half). King
Mahijit was sonless due to which all were distressed. The King
consults a learned sage who tells him that in his previous birth
the Kind was a Vasya merchant and had committed some wrong.
The sage advises the King to observe fast on this Shravan sukla
Ekadashi day by which the demerit would be cancelled. The King
obeys and is blessed with a son.
Hindola
or Swinging: Sukla eleventh to fifteenth in North India.
A swing is made an is decorated with flowers and hangings. Every
night idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are placed on it and swung,
rejoining with dancing and singing of a special metre the 'hindola'.
The main purpose is to please Krishna to gain his blessings
and merit.In
this month the Shravan Full Moon day is very prominent as a
number of festivals ensemble on this day.
Narali
Purnima: On full day of this Shravan (July-August),
is celebrated by worshipping the ocean with mantras and offering
of coconuts into it. Hence the name Narali from 'naral' meaning
coconut, the coconut day. From this day the south-west monsoon
is supposed to abate, and fisher-folks resume their trade. According
to some throwing of coconuts into the sea is an offering to
the "Food-giving goddess of the water" whereas other
say the offering is made to Varuna the Vedic God of Ocean.
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