Introduction
After the sweltering heat of summer, the overheated plains of the country look forward to the welcome showers of the monsoon to bring in much needed relief. Thus from literature to religion the fifth month of the Hindu Calendar Shraavan is celebrated through poetry, song, dance and ritual. Kalidasa’s Meghdoot, songs on saawan, dances with the theme centred on the love of the eternal beloved Radha-Krishna and the various festivals during the month reinforce the importance this month has in our psyche.
Why is Shraavan Maas Considered Holy?
For the devout Hindu, this is the holiest month as it is believed that lord Shiva saved humanity from the deadly halahala poison by swallowing it during the samudra manthan. The entire episode of the churning of the ocean, manifestation of various objects and beings from the ocean like fourteen rubies, conch, kaustubh gem, deities like Lakshmi, apsaras like rambha, supernatural animals like kamadhenu the divine cow, airavata the white elephant and finally the pot of nectar -all these took place in the month of Shraavan. Further this month is dotted with innumerable festivals and every day of the week is a cause of joie de vivre dedicated to a particular deity in the Hindu pantheon of gods. Mondays are sacred to Shiva and hence all the Mondays of Shraavan are devoted to Shiva worship. Tuesdays are earmarked for Gowri pooja while Fridays are dedicated to the worship of the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. Wednesdays are for Budha or mercury while Thursdays are for Guru and Mahavishnu. Saturdays are observed as Sampat Shanivar with people praying to Lord Saturn. Sun worship held dear from the Vedic days continues to this day with Sundays dedicated to the Sun god. But almost all regions of India are united in the worship of lord Shiva as Shraavan somvars are extremely holy and are exclusively spent in Shiva dhyan. Lingas are bathed with milk and honey, people observe fasts and the chants of the holy rudram and chamakam fill the air in and around temples. Kaavad yatras are common in some parts of the country as devotees collect holy water from sacred rivers in kavads or wooden pots which are tied to the end of a stick. These are carried by saffron clad kavadias who go from the tirtha sthaan to a sacred Shiva temple to perform abhisheks to shivalingas. Ochre clad kavadias crisscrossing a state is a common sight during this month in India.
Shraavan Maas, is thus known as Shivmaas, the holy month of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. As per scriptural records, Lord Shiva mentioned to his beloved wife Parvati that out of all the twelve months, Shraavan Maas (month) is the most special and glorious to him. Since then this month bears special significance in the Hindu religion and it is believed that fasting on any day during this whole month reaps fruitful results.
The Etymology
The word ‘Shraavan’ means ‘to listen’, hence there is a special significance attached to listening, to the recital of sacred scriptures including the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Shiv Purana, etc. during this month. The four or five Mondays and the Ekaadashi (the eleventh day of the waxing and waning moon) that fall in the Shraavan Maas are considered extremely virtuous and sacred. Those who cannot keep fast throughout Sharaavan Maas can perform it during these sacred days.
Shraavan Fasts And Festivals
Generally, meals are taken once a day and the rest of the day the fasting person relies on fruits and milk. The kind of fast one performs varies from person to person. All fasts and festivals falling in Shraavan have immense spiritual and cosmic energy. One gains the ability to progress in material and spiritual lives by performing these rituals with sincerity and devotion. Many Hindus fast for the entire month living on a diet of fruits and milk breaking their fast after sunset with a light vegetarian meal. People refrain from habits like smoking and drinking during this month. Most switch over to a vegetarian meal adhering to a strict diet throughout the month. The reasons could be many.
One major reason is that the month of Shraavan is filled with festivals. Apart from a religious connotation, nature and science also provide answers to the change in diet patterns of Hindus. It is also a season of rains and water borne diseases could be rampant. Avoiding meat is the best way to thwart infections. Also this happens to be the breeding season for fish and animals. It is a sin to kill animals that carry the young. Hence people desist from killing animals for meat. Fish spawn during this month and it is common sense that abstaining from fishing now will increase their yield throughout the year. Our ancestors closely followed the patterns of nature to find inner harmony and rhythm in their lives.
It is also believed that natives born in the month of Shraavan are honored and reach the pinnacle of glory. Lord Krishna, Jagannath and Hayagriva are believed to have taken their avatars during this month. Hence the month is also dedicated to the worship of Mahavishnu.
The rains bring joy and happiness to all and women and children especially in towns and villages celebrate the rainy season by playing on swings with their friends and neighbors. Bollywood has captured many such ‘saawan’ moments in its movies. Various festivals celebrated during the month are
Naag Panchami
The fast and puja is observed on à the 5th day of the month
God Worshipped à Naagdev (Serpent God) is offered puri (small fried wheat bread) and milk. As mentioned in Bhavishya Purana, an icon of Naagdev should be drawn right at the entrance of the home and worshipped.
Significance of the Puja à One gets ultimate freedom from all obstructions hindering one’s mental and spiritual progress.
Kichidi Panchami à The special prasad (God’s offering) is prepared which include kari (gram flour curry), kichidi (boiled rice and pulses) and spinach, and therefore also known as Kichidi Panchmi.
Sitala Saptam (Sitala Satam)
The fast and puja is observed on à the 7th day of the month
Goddess Worshipped à Sitaladevi with kumkum (vermillion), coconuts, rice and flowers
Significance of the Puja à Sitaladevi spreads cool and calming aura around herself. She is prayed for the health of the children and she saves the little ones from illness such as chicken pox, measles etc.
Worship of Fire God à Agnibhagwan or Fire God is also worshipped on this day and stove in the kitchen is not lit throughout the day. There is a tradition of preparing the food a day in advance and to consume the same the next day, i.e. throughout the Sitala Saptam.
Nauli Nem
The fast and puja is observed on à the 9th day of the month
God Worshipped à The fast is generally observed by all the ladies and nauli (mongoose) is prayed to with the necessary puja items.
Associated legend à As per the legend, a mongoose saved the life of a Brahmin child from a poisonous snake. Since then, all mothers observe this fast with great devotion to protect their children from any untoward incidents.
Raksha Bhandan or Balev
The festival is observed on à full moon day of the Shraavan Maas
Significance of the Festival à As per the ritual the sister ties a sacred thread on the right hand of her brother. Her brother in turn takes an oath to save his sister from all troubles and untoward incidents in life. The sister also prays for the longevity of her loving brother.
Gods and Goddesses Worshipped à Lord Vishnu and goddess Gayatri is worshipped on the sacred day of Balev.
Gayatri Mantra à Chanting Gayatri Mantra as many times as possible is considered auspicious and fruit bearing on this day.
Gokul Saptah or Geeta Week
The seven day festival is observed à from the day of Raksha Bhandan till Krishna Jayanti (Janmashtmi).
God Worshipped à Lord Krishna with great devotion
Recital of Scriptures à Hindu holy Scriptures including Bhagavad-Gita and Bhagvat Purana are recited during the whole week.
Significance of Mantra Recital à The mantra “Om Namo Bhagvate Vaasudevay” is constantly recited during the whole week, as many times as possible.
Krishna Ashtamee (Janmashtmi)
The festival is observed on à the 8th day of the shukla paksha (waning moon) of the Shraavan Maas
Significance of the festival à It is the birth date of the chief Hindu deity Lord Krishna.
God and Goddess worshiped à Lord Krishna is worshipped along with the goddess Tulsi.
The ritual of the puja à During the puja, 1000 names of Lord Vishnu is recited. There is tremendous importance of offering panjiri to the Lord in the form of Prasad. Puja is performed at midnight so as to coincide with the birth time of Lord Shri Krishna. On the following day, the festival of Parana Navmi is celebrated where the idol of baby Krishna is rocked in a nicely ornamented cradle.
Conclusion
Shraavan is thus a very important and holy month filled with festivals and fasts. We need to understand the reason behind various practices that have been enjoined by our wise ancestors. Having light meals, dedicating our lives to god in daily prayer and worship cleanses the body, mind and soul. To the wise seeking salvation and a release from the miseries of this world, the holy month of Shraavan is not merely a month of rituals and tirth yatras but most importantly it is also a period of intense contemplation, deep introspection with a yearning to strive for perfection. That is the highest truth that every aspirant strives for, to reach the state of Shivoham and realize the absolute divine in this very birth itself. The jiva then becomes one with Shiva. The month becomes doubly blessed.