Shravan Month 2020: Why the First Monday is Important for All of Us

This year, the month of Shravan is inaugurated in Uttarashah Nakshatra, Monday and Validriti Yoga from July 6. Thus, this year is the most auspicious of five Mondays in Shravan. Several devotees (both married and unmarried women) initiate their 16 Somvar (Mondays) vrat (fast) on the first Monday of the Shravan month. 

Shravan is the most beloved month of Lord Shiva, so all the Shiva-worshiping and worshipping of the spring is the desired fruit. The festival has special relevance to Lord Shiva and his spouse Goddess Parvati and it is believed that worshipping them in Shravan will help their devotees get salvation or "Moksha". According to legends, Samudra Manthan churning of the ocean by the devatas and asura to get Amrit was started in this month. However, during the process, ‘halahala’ or poison was also churned out which started destroying all kinds of life forms on earth. To stop this, the Gods and the demons prayed to Lord Shiva who then drank that poison and saved the world. Therefore, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the month of Shravan as a gesture of gratitude. 

According to the Hindu calendar, Shravan Maas will begin from July 6 while it will end on August 19. Shravan Maas is considered very auspicious and people across the country observed fast on Mondays and Tuesdays of the holy month. 

The Shravan Maas is auspicious for worshipping Lord Shiva, who is also known as ‘Shambhu’, and his wife Goddess Parvati. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva on this day will help people get salvation and therefore special prayers are organised in temples to please him. 

In the month of Shravan, various other festivals like Naga Panchami, Shravani Purnima, Vara Lakshmi Vrata, Govatsa, Raksha Bandhan, Kalkyavatara, Putradaikadashi and Rishi Panchami are celebrated.