Shravan /Shravana Mahina /Mas – The Holy Month Of Festivals
August 5, 2007
The holy month of Shravan (The fifth month of the Hindu calendar) is extremely auspicious. The star called Shravan rules the sky and so the name. This month is spread out with innumerably religious festivals and ceremonies. As all the days of this month are auspicious many devotees fast throughout the month.
Each day of the week is dedicated to different Gods and Goddesses. There is special reverence by devotes of Lord Shiva. It is said that The Lord saved mankind by drinking the poison “Halahal” and stored it in his throat. This poison turned his throat blue and so he is also known as “Neelkantha / Neelkant” (Neel- Blue, Kantha- throat) This poison was churned out from the ocean. (During Samudra Manthan) At the time of this mammoth churn, fourteen precious gems came out of it. Thirteen gems were distributed to the Asuras (Demon) and the last one turned out to poison. It is said that to combat the effect of this deadly poison Lord Shiva wore a crescent moon on his head.
All the Gods and Goddesses added water from the Ganges on Shivji to further reduce the effects. Since then in the month of Shravan, devotees throng to various temples of Lord Shiva and offer water from the river Ganga.
The swing or Jhoola or Dola or Hindola have a special significance in the month of Shravan. Various deities are placed on ornamentally decorated swings. The swinging movement to and fro symbolizes a state of ecstasy and happiness that takes one away from the mundane world. Placing a deity on a swing is an act of veneration.
Onam is celebrated in Kerala, India. It is termed as Sravanotsavam or Sravanmahotsav. It is believed that on this day the spirit of King Bali, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu comes to visit the people of Kerala.
The mighty demon Bali or Mahabali was a very caring ruler and during his reign, there was immense prosperity. But being a demon, he did have his shortcomings and was extremely egoistic. He was cursed by his grandfather Prahlad that his downfall would be in the hands of Lord Vishnu. But he was also blessed with a boon that he could annually visit his people with whom he was so attached
Other legends explain that on this day the Vamana or the dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu came into being only to take away King Bali’s control of the three worlds, and sent him to the nether world.
The various auspicious occasions and festivals celebrated in this month are Naga-Panchami, Kalkyavatara, Putradaikadashi, Hindola or Swinging, Narali Purnima, Shravani Purnima, Pavitraropana, Raksha Bandhan, Vara Lakshmi Vrata, Rishi Panchami, Govatsa and Bahula, Sitala Saptami, Janmashtami, Ajaikadasi, Pithori and Pola.
Related Post: Vrata-Foods Eaten During Fasts And Shravan Mahina
©Nayna Chakrabarty, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Similar Posts
Comments
2 Responses to “Shravan /Shravana Mahina /Mas – The Holy Month Of Festivals”
Got something to say?
I do Sravan Mahina/Mas..
I Grew Up My Hair.. Do Fasts for Whole Month by eating only one Time a Day.
I Didi it with all my Faith in God.. Specially Lord Shiva.
Jai Shiv Shambhu
HAR HAR MAHADEV
Hardik Shah
i also keep on fasting during shravan month. i also eat single time in whole day. i like lord ‘SHIVA’ . i want to meet lord ‘SHIVA’ . i know lord SHIVA will meet me.