Shravan Month or Sawan Month is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Lord is worshiped with a lot of zeal during this month, which is the second biggest event after Maha Shivratri! In 2014, this month is from July 13 to August 10, according to the traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India. Special prayers and rituals are performed in Lord Shiva temples & in sacred places associated with the Great God. Nature is a form of Lord Shiva and hence, Lord Shiva is worshipped during the Sawan month; when the surroundings can be seen full of greenery & it seems as if a new life has been given to nature!
According to Hindu mythology, poison came out of the sea during a battle between Devas and Asuras. Lord Shiva came forward and drank this poison to save the mankind, & therefore came to be adorably called as Neelkanth (the Blue Necked One). This happened during the Sawan month. His body temperature increased substantially. Lord Shiva then wore the Moon on his head, which calmed Him down. It is also believed that Devraj Indra, in an effort to decrease the body temperature of Lord Shiva, caused heavy rainfall to occur. This calmed down the Lord & since then, it started raining in the month of Sawan; & this complete month is celebrated to please Lord Shiva! Water is poured by devotees on the Shiv Ling during the whole of Sawan month, especially on Mondays.
Devotees travel to the origin of Holy River Ganga to collect its purest waters, in order to bathe the Shiv Ling at their homes or in temples. Mondays of this month are considered highly auspicious for the worship of Lord Shiva. The worship of Shiv Ling is performed with Gangajal, Bilva leaves or pure water. Devotees observe fast on Mondays. Many people observe different vows during this month, like having only vegetarian food, or reading a particular Holy Scripture on all days of the month.
According to mythology, once Sanat Kumar asked Lord Shiva why Shravan Month is His Favorite Month? The Lord told him, that when Devi Sati left her body in her father's house with Yoga power; before doing this, she vowed to get Him as her Husband in every birth! In next life, she took birth in Himachal as Parvati, Daughter of Himalaya & Maina. She underwent great exertion while fasting during the month of Sawan, and impressed Lord Shiva & made Him very happy with her unconditional love, devotion and supreme surrender! Legend has it, that Devi Parvati underwent a severe penance and prayed continuously to show her devotion towards Lord Shiva. She was born and reborn on earth 108 times, before He accepted her as His wife! The day was "Teej of Shrawan Month" when Lord Shiva married her, & the Divine Couple became One For Eternity...
Since then, fasting during Sawan Month has a great value! This is the reason why it is regarded as an extremely auspicious & Holiest Month to worship Lord Shiva. Being very spiritually significant, meditation & worship of Lord Shiva performed during this month, is highly spiritually elevating! So let us all take advantage of the very special & increased levels of spiritual energy of this period, and be blessed with His Divine Energy!
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