Importance of Shravan Mas - The Holy Month of Festivals- RENU SHARMA (Film Actress and Model - Mumbai)

Importance of Shravan Mas - The Holy Month of Festivals

 

RENU SHARMA

 

Film Actress and Model – Mumbai

The month of Shravan 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.
Lord Shiva and Shravan Mas
The legend says 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.