Posted:
Ghode jaisi chaal... Haathi jaisi dum...
O Saawan Raja... Kahan se aaye tum...
Before I continue with this post... I want to dedicate this song to someone who is Missing in Action... at the moment totally invisible... and yeah from his twitter account too... My very own Mishtah India...
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4md7C27rzgQ[/YOUTUBE]
Today starts an auspicious month of Shraavan as per the Hindu calendar, which is also known as Sawan, the fifth month of the Hindu year, beginning in July and ending in the August. It also coincides with Nanakshahi Calendar as same day in Sikhism. In the Tamil calendar, it is known as Aavani and is the fifth month of the solar year.
The Mythology
The myth says that at the time of Samudra Manthan that happened in the month of Shravan, fourteen different types of gems came out from the ocean. Thirteen of which were distributed among the Asuras... except the poison 'Halahal.' Shiva drank this poison and stored it in his throat. Hence the name 'Neelkantha' (neela-blue, kantha-throat)is attributed to Lord Shiva.
In order to combat the strong effect of this deadly poison, Shiva wore the crescent moon on his head and then all the Gods started offering Ganges water to Him to lessen its effect. This is the reason why devotees offer Ganges water to Lord shiva in this month.
It is said that Lord Shiva saved mankind by drinking the poison 'Halahal.' So, since the day of Samudra Manthan, Mondays of Shravan month are especially dedicated to Shiva's worship in compare to other Mondays of other months.
It also marks an auspicious event as per mythology
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Marriage of Shiva and Shakti
The legend of marriage of Shiva and Shakti is one the most important legends related to the festival of Mahashivaratri. The story tells us how Lord Shiva got married a second time to Shakti, his divine consort. According to legend of Shiva and Shakti, the day Lord Shiva got married to Parvati is celebrated as Shivaratri - the Night of Lord Shiva.
The Story Behind
Once Lord Shiva and his wife Sati or Shakti were returning from sage Agastya's ashram after listening to Ram Katha or story of Ram. On their way through a forest, Shiva saw Lord Rama searching for his wife Sita who had been kidnapped by Ravana, the King of Lanka. Lord Shiva bowed his head in reverence to Lord Rama. Sati was surprised by Lord Shiva's behavior and inquired why he was paying obeisance to a mere mortal. Shiva informed Sati that Rama was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Sati, however, was not satisfied with the reply and Lord asked her to go and verify the truth for herself.
Using her power to change forms, Sati took the form of Sita appeared before Rama. Lord Rama immediately recognized the true identity of the Goddess and asked, "Devi, why are you alone, where's Shiva?" At this, Sati realized the truth about Lord Ram. But, Sita was like a mother to Lord Shiva and since Sati took the form of Sita her status had changed. From that time, Shiva detached himself from her as a wife. Sati was sad with the change of attitude of Lord Shiva but she stayed on at Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva.
Later, Sati's father Daksha organised a yagna, but did not invite Sati or Shiva as he had an altercation with Shiva in the court of Brahma. But, Sati who wanted to attend the Yagna, went even though Lord Shiva did not appreciate the idea. To hre great anguish, Daksha ignored her presence and did not even offer Prasad for Shiva. Sati felt humiliated and was struck with profound grief. She jumped into the yagna fire and immolated herself.
Lord Shiva became extremely furious when he heard the news of Sati's immolation. Carrying the body of Sati, Shiva began to perform Rudra Tandava or the dance of destruction and wiped out the kingdom of Daksha. Everybody was terrified as Shiva's Tandava had the power to destroy the entire universe. In order to calm Lord Shiva, Vishnu severed Sati's body into 12 pieces and threw them on earth. It is said that wherever the pieces of Shakti's body fell, there emerged a Shakti Peetha, including the Kamaroopa Kamakhya in Assam and the Vindhyavasini in UP.
Lord Siva was now alone undertook rigorous penance and retired to the Himalayas. Sati took a re-birth as Parvati in the family of God Himalaya.
Later, Parvati undertook severe penance to win over Shiva. Through her devotion and persuasion by sages devas, Parvati, also known as Uma, was finally able to lure Shiva into marriage and away from asceticism. Their marriage was solemnized a day before Amavasya in the month of Phalgun. This day of union of God Shiva and Parvati is celebrated as Mahashivratri every year.
Another Legend
According to another version of the legend, Goddess Parvati performed tapas and prayers on the auspicious moonless night of Shivaratri to ward off any evil that may befall her husband. Since then, womenfolk began the custom of praying for the well being of their husbands and sons on Shivaratri day. Unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.
Geographical and Meterological Facts
The same period marks important climacte change, Monsoon. Its during this period, major parts of Northern India are hit causing rains. These are the big seasonal winds blowing from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea in the southwest bringing heavy rainfall to the area.
The southwest summer monsoon is attracted to India by a low pressure area that's caused by the extreme heat of the Thar Desert and adjoining areas, during summer. Moisture-laden winds from the Indian Ocean come to fill up the void, but because they can't pass through the Himalaya region, they're forced to rise. The gain in altitude of the clouds results in a drop in temperature, bringing about rain.
When the southwest monsoon reaches India, it splits into two parts around the mountainous region of the Western Ghats in south-central India. One part moves northwards over the Arabian Sea and up the coastal side of the Western Ghats. The other flows over the Bay of Bengal, up through Assam, and hits the Eastern Himalaya range.
India's agricultural produce till date depends upon the quality of rains received during this period. So if it delays, naturally the produce is less which gives rise to prices of agricultural products and Government blames it for price hike even if that product is directly or indirectly not related to low production due to less rains.😳 But if it rains well, then prices lower naturally and thus Government tries to take advantage by praising their efforts and management. 🥱
Cultural Importance
The Shraavan maas brings many festivals and rituals. There are many celebrated as per different states and regions
1. Nag Panchami
2. Kalky-avatara
3. Putradaikadashi
4. Hindola or Swinging
5. Narali Poornima
6. Shravani Poornima
7. Pavitraropana
8. Raksha Bandhan
9. Vara Lakshmi Vrata
10. Rishi Panchami
11. Govatsa and Bahula
12. Shitala Saptmi
13. Janmashtami
14. Ajaikadasi
15. Pithori Pola
The month has also importance in newly weded girls. In some culture, newly wed girls spent this whole month at their parents' house. Particularly in the Punjab and surrounding regions, the month of Saun (Saawan) is a very joyful period. Monsoons and rains during this month give a relief to people from the hot summers.
In the month of Saawan, girls get together in some common place of villages and towns and perform Giddha and sing boliyan. Festival is known as Tiyan. Fairs (Mela) are held almost every weekend of this month in every village and town and on college and University campuses.
People at home cook PooRhay (sweet rotis made of wheat flour mixed with Gurh(jaggery) and kheer and enjoy it very much along with the cold monsoon rains in the hot season.
Mention of Saun (Saawan) in Punjabi folklore comes in many boliyan and folk songs. In old times, newly married girls used to visit their parents homes for the whole month and enjoy it with their girl friends of childhood and youth, in a way parting from them slowly going into their new married lives.
Another enjoyable event is swings (peengh) made by tying long ropes to the highest branches of trees.
Apart from regional cultures, Saawan has been celebrated in Bollywood movies. Various songs have been dedicated to this month.
The Shraavan maas brings many festivals and rituals. There are many celebrated as per different states and regions
1. Nag Panchami
2. Kalky-avatara
3. Putradaikadashi
4. Hindola or Swinging
5. Narali Poornima
6. Shravani Poornima
7. Pavitraropana
8. Raksha Bandhan
9. Vara Lakshmi Vrata
10. Rishi Panchami
11. Govatsa and Bahula
12. Shitala Saptmi
13. Janmashtami
14. Ajaikadasi
15. Pithori Pola
The month has also importance in newly weded girls. In some culture, newly wed girls spent this whole month at their parents' house. Particularly in the Punjab and surrounding regions, the month of Saun (Saawan) is a very joyful period. Monsoons and rains during this month give a relief to people from the hot summers.
In the month of Saawan, girls get together in some common place of villages and towns and perform Giddha and sing boliyan. Festival is known as Tiyan. Fairs (Mela) are held almost every weekend of this month in every village and town and on college and University campuses.
People at home cook PooRhay (sweet rotis made of wheat flour mixed with Gurh(jaggery) and kheer and enjoy it very much along with the cold monsoon rains in the hot season.
Mention of Saun (Saawan) in Punjabi folklore comes in many boliyan and folk songs. In old times, newly married girls used to visit their parents homes for the whole month and enjoy it with their girl friends of childhood and youth, in a way parting from them slowly going into their new married lives.
Another enjoyable event is swings (peengh) made by tying long ropes to the highest branches of trees.
Apart from regional cultures, Saawan has been celebrated in Bollywood movies. Various songs have been dedicated to this month.
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