Shravan (Sawan) Month 2023
The month of Sawan has special significance in Hinduism. This month is considered one of the holy months of the year. The Sawan month is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kanwar Yatra also takes place during the month of Sawan. Devotees try to please Lord Shiva by performing Jalabhishek, and Dudhabhishek.
The month of Sawan is very special this year. Because this time it will not be one month but 2 months will be the month of Sawan. Know when Sawan is starting and how many Mondays it will be.
According to the Hindu calendar, Sawan falls in the fifth month. All Mondays of the month of Shravan are considered auspicious for fasting. These are known as Shravan Somvar or Sawan Somvar Vrat. Many people also observe Solah Somvar or Solah Somvar Vrat during Sawan.
When will Sawan 2023 start (Sawan 2023 Date)
The month of Sawan will be of two months this year due to Adhik Maas. That's why this year Sawan is starting from 4th July, which will end on 31st August.
Dates of Sawan Monday (Sawan Somwar 2023 Dates)
This year there will be 8 Sawan Mondays instead of 4. Know the date.
- First Monday of Sawan: 10 July
- Second Monday of Sawan: July 17
- Third Monday of Sawan: 24 July
- Fourth Monday of Sawan: 31 July
- Sawan's fifth Monday: 07 August
- Sixth Monday of Sawan: 14 August
- Seventh Monday of Sawan: 21 August
- Eighth Monday of Sawan: 28 August
Importance of Shravan Month
The sawan month is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Throughout this month, devotees observe a fast along with worshiping Lord Shiva. It is considered auspicious to offer Belpatra, Dhatura, Shami leaves, etc. along with water to Lord Shiva during the month of Sawan. Along with this, the Kanwar Yatra starts this month itself. Along with this, unmarried girls start fasting for sixteen Mondays to get the desired life partner.
Significance of Shravan Month
Shravan Month is glorified in many scriptures as the most holy month of the year. To gain divine blessings and benefits, devotees observe austerities, fast, do meditation and offer prayers.
Legends associated with Shravan Month
It is said that Maa Parvati carried out hard penance and fasting for the entire month of Shravan to get married to Lord Shiva and have Him as Her consort. Pleased with Her dedication and devotion Lord Shiva obliged and fulfilled her wish.
Shravan Maas is the first month of the Chaturmas period, which are four months (Shravan, Bhadrapada, Ashwin, and Kartik) dedicated to bhakti and revering the Divine. As per scriptures during this period Lord Vishnu goes into Yoga Nidra (state of deep meditation) on the Adi Shesha (seven-hooded serpent) underneath the Kshirasagara (cosmic ocean) and Lord Shiva takes care of the whole creation.
We can interpret this as the preservation and nurturing aspect of life (governed by Lord Vishnu), stopping to make way for destruction (Lord Shiva). Finally, the old has to give way to the new, so creation, nurturing, and destruction remain an endless cycle.Devotees follow a strict sattvic lifestyle and indulge in devotion and worship to seek blessings and protection from the Divine during this period.
Each day of this month carries spiritual significance
- Monday: is the day to worship Lord Shiva.
- Tuesday: women worship Gauri for the better health of their families.
- Wednesday: is dedicated to Vithala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu or Krishna.
- Thursdays: are for worshiping Buddh and Guru.
- Friday: for worshiping Lakshmi and Tulsi
- Saturday: is for Saturn (Shani Dev). These days are also known as Shravan Saturdays or Sampat Sanivara (wealth Saturdays) as one can pray for obtaining wealth.
- Sunday: is for the Sun god. Sun worship was common practice in the Vedic period and it is followed even now. Especially in Shravan, every Sunday the Sun is worshipped.
Rituals to follow in Shravan Month:
Rudra Abhishek
"Rudra" means the one who is terribly infuriated, which is one of the divine qualities of Lord Shiva who displays it while performing His cosmic dance, Tandava for the annihilation of creations. Shiva, by virtue of this quality, is called Rudra. Abhishek means a method of worship offered to the Divine for cleansing all the misgivings, sins of the worshiper.
Performing Shiva Abhishek includes the offerings of Panchamrit (mix of milk, honey, sugar, ghee, and curd, Ganga jal, ghee, Bael Patra (Bilva leaves), Dhatura and other sacred items dear to Lord Shiva. Rudra Abhishek purifies your mind and body, offers peace, fulfills your desires, and enlightens your soul.
Fasting
During Shravan Maas, devotees mostly undertake four types of Vrats (fasts) which are Sawan Somwar Vrat, Solah Somwar Vrat, Pradosh Vrat, and Mangala Gauri Vrat.
Sawan Somwar Vrat
Sawan Somwar Vrat is observed every Monday (Somvar) in the month. There are mostly 4 Mondays during Shravan and sometimes there are 5.
Solah Somwar Vrat
It is observed by young girls to find the most ideal husband. They fast for 16 consecutive Mondays starting from the first Monday of this month.
Pradosh Vrat
Pradosh vrat is observed on the 13th day (Trayodashi tithi) of both Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha. The thirteenth day is considered extra special for invoking and worshipping Lord Shiva. On this day devotees keep a strict fast and perform Shiva puja during the Pradosh Kaal.
Mangala Gauri Vrat
Mangala Gauri Vrat is observed on Tuesdays in the Shravan Maas. The fast is observed for happy married life and the wellbeing and long life of the partner.
Shani Vrat
Shani Vrat is observed on Saturdays during the Shravan Maas primarily for pacifying Lord Shani and gaining His blessings.
Worship of Lord Shiva (Shravan Somwar Puja Method)
Devotees should wake up early preferably during Brahma Muhurat, clean the Puja altar, take a bath, and wear clean clothes. Purify the house with water mixed with Ganges water. Take Sankalpa to observe the fast.
Perform the Abhishek ritual on the Shivalinga.It is believed that Lord Shiva is pleased even with simple offerings of wild creepers and flowers which are easily available such as Aak flowers, Bel leaves, and Datura. Offer bhasma, sandal paste, lotus flowers, and Rudraksha beads during prayers.
One may chant the following Shiva Mantras using a Rudraksha rosary or silently in mind. Chanting may be done at a specified time and with a specific number of counts (108 times or multiples of it) in the morning or evening, or you may do ajapa-japa, a silent repetition of the mantra throughout the day.
Om Namah Shivaya!!
Om, I am One with the Supreme reality.
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra:
tryambaka yajamahe sugandhi pushtivardhanam
urvarukamiva bandhan mrityormukshya mmrat
OM! We worship the Three-eyed Lord Who is fragrant and Who nourishes and nurtures all beings. As the ripened cucumber (without the intervention of the gardener) is freed from its bondage (to the creeper), may He liberate us from death for the sake of immortality.
Rudra Gayatri Mantra:
Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dhimahi
Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat
OM! Let me meditate on the great Purusha, oh, greatest God, give me higher intellect, and let God Rudra illuminate my mind.
Worshipped should be offered twice a day. Firstly, early in the morning and then once after the Sunset. During the day devotees may consume fruits and permitted food items during the fast. After sunset, one regular sattvic meal can be taken Be in a devotional mood throughout the day. Avoid consumption of alcohol or tobacco or non-veg.
Jyotirlinga Shrines in India
Jyotirlinga is a Sanskrit word combined of words of Jyoti's ‘radiance’ and linga. There are 12 traditional Jyotirlinga shrines in India.
12 Jyotirlinga List with Locations
The list of 12 jyotirlingas in India are:
- Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gujarat
- Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Madhya Pradesh
- Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga in Madhya Pradesh
- Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga in Andhra Pradesh
- Vaijnath Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra
- Kedarnath Jyotirlinga in Uttarakhand
- Nageshwar Jyotirlinga in Gujarat
- Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra
- Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra
- Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga in Tamil Nadu
- Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra
- Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga in Uttar Pradesh
Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gir, Gujarat
Located in Gir Somnath, Gujarat, the Somnath is a part of the 12 popular jyotirlingas in India and is considered to be the first one that was acquired by the deity. This temple the most worshipped pilgrimage site in India which is why it is visited by thousands of devotees every year, especially on the occasion of Mahashivratri.
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Nestled amid Mahakal forest in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh on the banks of River Kshipra is also recognized as one of the seven Mukti Sthal in the country. The Mahakaleshwar Temple is also one of the top ‘Tantra Temples’ in India.
The main highlight of this temple is its ‘Bhasm-Aarti’ that is performed as the first ritual in the morning during which the Shivlinga is bathed with the ashes taken from a fresh funeral pyre.
Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga in Khanda, Madhya Pradesh
Perched at the banks of the Narmada River on an island called Mandhata, Omkareshwar is a popular jyotirlinga that translates to the Lord of the Om Sound. It is believed that the island is in the shape of ‘Om’ – a spiritual symbol in Hindu Mythology.
Thousands of devotees gather here for the darshans of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga on the occasions of Shivratri, Mahashivratri, and Kartik Poornima. Serene Vibes and picturesque views of the sacred Narmada River adds to the divinity of these shrines.
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga temple is perched on the hilltop of the Shri Saila Mountain. It was built around 1234AD, by the Hoysala King, Vira Narsimha and it still stands in pride, captivating the hearts of devotees by its divine essence and exquisite Dravidian style of architecture.
It is said that the shrine of Lord Shiva was installed by Arjuna, one of the Pandavas from the Epic Mahabharata. The Kumbla River close by adds to the relaxing ambiance and beauty of the place.
Baidyanath Jyotirlinga in Deoghar, Jharkhand
This temple complex is located in Deoghar in the Santhal Parganas division, adorned with the presence of 21 temples. The sacred Shivalinga existing here is decorated with precious gems. Not only it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas but also a prominent Shakti peeth, where body parts of Goddess Shakti fell.
Baidyanath in Jharkhand has a very interesting story of origin. It is quite popular too. The tale goes like this, Ravana, a staunch believer of Lord Shiva prayed for years to invite him to Lanka. During this time, Ravana got injured too. So, when Lord Shiva arrived to meet his devotee, Ravana was not in his best shape.
Lord Shiva took it upon himself to cure Ravana, and with that, he got the name of Vaidyanath. The temple does witness a throng of pilgrims every year, especially on occasions of Maha Shivratri and Shravana months.
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra
The sixth Jyotirlinga, Bhimashankar Temple is a sight of unequaled grandeur. It is situated in a small village called Bhorgiri amidst the Sahyadri Hills near Pune in Maharashtra which is also one of the top trekking choices in Maharashtra.
With greenery galore on all sides of the temple, The place holds a great religious significance owing to the presence of the ‘Bhimashankar Temple’, which is home to another sacred Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. The place turns into a carnivalesque haven during Maha Shivratri with devotees coming over from various parts of the state.
Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
The ‘Ramanathaswamy Temple’situated at the holy town of Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu is home to one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas. Ramanathaswamy Temple is the pillar of Lord Rama’s never-ending faith for Lord Shiva.
Testimony to the fact is the name Ramanathaswamy which means Master of Rama. Also recognized as the Varanasi of the South, the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is also one of the most-visited holy places in the country.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga in Dwarka, Gujarat
Nestled on the coast of Saurashtra, Gujarat, Nageshwar is considered to be the home of one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Thousands of pilgrims visit the temple every year to seek blessings from Lord Shiva who is worshipped here in the form of ‘Nagdev’.
A 25-meter-tall statue of Lord Shiva in a seated position is a great attraction of this temple and provides a perfect backdrop for a nice remembrance picture. Believed to be one of the most powerful jyotirlingas in India, the temple is a symbol of protection from all types of venom and poison.
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
The most sacred temple to be believed is the ‘Kashi Vishwanath Temple’, in the city of Banaras/Varanasi is home to the 12th Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. The temple originally dates back to the 11th century and was plundered many times by Afghan and Arab invaders.
The towers of the temple are gold plated with a golden chhatri on the top. Numerous pilgrims from all over the world gather at Kashi during the festivals of ‘Makar Sankranti’, ‘Kartik Poornima’, ‘Shivratri’, ‘Maha Shivratri’, ‘Dev Diwali’ and ‘Annakoot’.
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga in Nasik, Maharashtra
Located near the Brahmagiri mountain, the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga is also the place of origin of the illustrious Godavari River. It is also known as Dakshini Ganga and Gautami Ganga.
Legacy of the third Peshwa, Balaji Bajirao, the magnificent Trimbakeshwar Temple lures devotees from all over the world to embrace the spiritual whirlwind within themselves. It is believed that the one who gets the darshans of the Jyotirlinga gets all his desires fulfilled.
Interestingly, unlike other Jyotirlingas, the one in Trimbakeshwar is uniquely shaped with three pillars that represent the three supreme powers, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswar.
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
Kedarnath is another famous jyotirlinga in India that is inaccessible most of the year. Situated in the Himalayan Range in Uttarakhand, the ‘Kedarnath Temple’ owns a very rough climate with cold weather and snowfall, the temple remains closed for the devotees.
It is believed that a dip in the holy water of Gangotri and Yamunotri from the pond present within the Kedarnath temple will rid you of all your troubles and worries. The Kedarnath Temple is also one of the ‘Chota Char Dham’ pilgrimage sites for Hindus.
Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga in Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Located at a village called Verul, near Aurangabad in Maharashtra, the ‘Grishneshwar Temple’ dates back to the 18th century. Constructed in a Shikhara-style with gods and goddesses carved on the walls, the Grishneshwar Temple is also part of the Shiva Purana.
The temple complex is quite exciting with very beautiful carvings, sculptures, and more. It is every bit impressive and you will be left spellbound by the temple structure.
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