II Om Namah Shivaya II

 

🌿 II Om Namah Shivaya
II

The Sacred Month of Sawan Begins: A Time of Devotion,
Fasting & Divine Blessings

📸 Text & Photo by
– Ashok Karan
🔗
ashokkaran.blogspot.com

As the auspicious month of Sawan begins today,
millions of devotees across India step into a sacred period of spiritual
reflection, devotion, and deep connection with Lord Shiva. This holy
month is marked by ritual baths, fasting, chanting mantras,
and performing Shiva Abhishekam—an offering that brings tranquility to
the heart and blessings to the soul.

With the resonating chant of “Om Namah Shivaya”,
homes and temples across North India glow with the light of devotion and the
fragrance of incense and bel patra.

📅 Regional Variations in
Sawan Dates

The celebration of Sawan, or Shravan Maas,
varies depending on regional calendars:

• In North
  Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan,
  Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh,
  Sawan is observed as per the Purnimant calendar — from July 11
  to August 9.

• In Southern
  states including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka,
  Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Goa, it is observed as per the Amavasyant
  calendar — from July 25 to August 23.

🙏 Significance of Sawan
in Hindu Tradition

Sawan holds immense religious significance in
Hinduism. Known as the month of Shiva, it is believed to be the time
when spiritual efforts are most fruitful. Devotees perform special pujas,
chant Shiv Puran, Rudrashtadhyayi, and offer Panchamrit, Gangajal,
Bel Patra, Dhatura, and Bhasma to Lord Shiva.

Worshipping Goddess Parvati alongside Lord Shiva
symbolizes the balance of divine masculine and feminine energies.

Lord Shiva—the destroyer and transformer in the
divine trinity—is also the first Yogi (Adi Yogi), the giver of
knowledge, the embodiment of detachment, and the ocean of
compassion. Worshipping Him in Sawan is believed to:

• Erase
  sins

• Bring
  peace, marital harmony & good offspring

• Fulfill
  desires and grant divine blessings

🌙 Sawan Somvar: Fasting
for Fulfillment

Every Monday in Sawan, known as Sawan Somvar,
is considered highly sacred. Devotees observe various forms of fasting:

• Nirjala
  fasts (waterless) or consuming only fruits

• Phalahar
  fasting with milk and light vegetarian meals

• Avoidance
  of grains, salt, onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian food

Unmarried devotees fast to seek ideal life partners, while
married couples observe it for family happiness and prosperity. Mondays are
dedicated to Lord Shiva as He is known to bless those who show unwavering faith
and dedication.

🐍 Samudra Manthan &
The Legend of Neelkanth

The mythological roots of Sawan are deeply connected
to the story of Samudra Manthan—the churning of the ocean by the gods
(Devas) and demons (Asuras). Among the 14 treasures that emerged, a deadly
poison called Kalkut threatened to destroy the universe.

To save all beings, Lord Shiva drank the poison,
holding it in His throat. His throat turned blue, earning Him the name Neelkanth.
To relieve His pain, the Gods poured Gangajal, Bel Patra, and Datura
on Him—rituals that are still followed by devotees today.

It is believed this event occurred during the month of Sawan,
making it especially divine for Shiva worship.

🚶‍♂️ The Kanwar Yatra:
Devotion in Motion

One of the most visually moving aspects of Sawan is the Kanwar
Yatra. Lakhs of Kanwariyas, barefooted and clad in saffron, carry holy
Gangajal in bamboo containers slung across their shoulders. They walk for
days to pour this sacred water over Shivlings in revered temples such as:

• Baidyanath
  Dham (Deoghar, Jharkhand)

• Haridwar,
  Gangotri, Gomukh

• Temples
  in Uttar Pradesh and even Nepal

The Kanwar Yatra is not just a pilgrimage—it’s an act of
surrender, devotion, penance, and spiritual endurance. Each step they take is a
testament to the power of faith.

📸 In Picture: Devotees
offering Gangajal at a Shivlinga during Sawan.

🌸 Conclusion

The month of Sawan is a sacred reminder of the
eternal bond between the divine and the devotee. As chants of Om Namah
Shivaya fill the air, may this holy month bring inner peace, spiritual
elevation, and divine blessings into your life.

🕉️ Har Har Mahadev!
🌿
Om Namah Shivaya

🔗 Text & Visuals
by – Ashok Karan
📍
ashokkaran.blogspot.com
🙏
Please like, share, and subscribe for more cultural and spiritual stories.

🔖 #Sawan2025
#OmNamahShivaya #ShravanMass #LordShiva #KanwarYatra #SawanSomvar
#ShivaDevotees #SpiritualIndia #Neelkanth #BaidyanathDham #HarHarMahadev
#FaithAndDevotion #HinduFestivals