Shravan Somvar 2023: History, Significance and Rituals

Shravan comes every year, but this Shravan is coming after 19 years. Want to know why? Well, Shravan is one of the holiest months in Hindu culture, which is right around the corner. Typically the month of Shravan has 8 Somwars (Mondays). However, this year is different. Because this year, the month of Shravan will not be for 30 days, but instead, it will of 59 days. So, this 2023 Sharav will have not 4 but 8 Somvars (Monday). 

Did you know why people fast on Mondays during Monsoon months? This is because Shravan Somvar fasts are considered to be extremely auspicious. Keeping a Sawan Monday fast can give you great benefits. One of the most common ones of them is girls getting married to the man of their dreams. However, the importance of this festival is not just about the Somwar fasta, and there is a lot that needs to be known about the festival.

Many people, especially the devotees of Lord Shiva, celebrate this month all across India with great enthusiasm. Let us get to know about all the aspects of the month of Shravan, from its history to its celebration. This blog will cover it all! Let us first know the start and end dates for the month of Shravan. These are listed below: 

Shravan Month 2023: July – August

Sawan Start Date: 4th July, Tuesday 

Sawan End Date: 31st August, Thursday

Also Read: Dev Uthani Ekadashi: An Ideal Time To Seek God’s Blessings

Shravan Month 2023: Mythology Associated

Sawan Somwar holds great historical meaning in ancient Hindu scriptures. This month is an auspicious month for worshipping Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, once upon a time, all Gods in the heavens and the demons of Hell started Samudra Manthan. They were doing this because they were in search of Amrit. They churned it for months, because of which they gained many auspicious gifts. However, one of the things they gained was poison.

The poison had the power to destroy all creations if it fell anywhere. Upon learning this, the Gods were deeply worried. Therefore, they went to Lord Shiva to ask for a solution. He consumed the poison, and his wife, Goddess Parvati, held his throat to not let the poison spread. This made his throat blue, which gave him the name Neelkanth (The one with the blue throat).

People decorate Shiva temples with flowers and lights and offer special prayers and offerings to the deity. Devotees also fast on Mondays and offer milk, honey, and bel leaves to the Shiva Linga. People say that keeping the fast of Sawan Somwar can bless women and unmarried girls with a successful married life. This can also help men overcome their financial, physical, and mental problems.

Why is Shravan Month 2023 special?

This year, 2023, the month of Shravan, is not an ordinary one! This is because this year’s Shravan month is a special occurrence after 19 years. Yes, you heard it right. This year the month of Shravan will begin on the 4th of July 2023 and will continue till the 31st of August 2023. Unlike the other Sharavan months, this year, we will observe a long month of Shravan.

This is because of an occurrence known as Adhik Maas. The Hindu calendar is set according to the Lunar cycle, whereas the English calendar works according to the Solar cycle. Because of this, there is a gap between both calendars. This gap increases every year, and it adds up to the duration of a month. Therefore, in order to sync the Lunar and Solar calendars, an extra month is added to the Lunar calendar.

Another interesting fact is that this time Shravan will not have its typical 4 Solmar (Mondays). But on the other hand, it will have 8 Somvars. Shravan is known to be the month during which lord Vishnu sleeps, and the duty of protecting and caring for the Universe comes on the shoulders of Lord Shiva. This makes Lord Shiva even more powerful. Thus, he becomes the most powerful deity during the month of Shravan. So, it is believed that if an individual worships Lord Shiva during Shravan, then they will surely be blessed with beneficial outcomes and results.

Eight Auspicious Mondays of Shravan 2023

The year 2023 is a very special year for the devotees of Lord Shiva. This is because, after 19 years, Shravan will last for two months instead of one. Devotees can celebrate this auspicious time for two months and pray to god for even longer. There are eight Mondays for fasting this year. These auspicious days can bring you great benefits during Shravan 2023.

First Monday: July 10 2023, 5.38 AM to 7.22 PM

Second Monday: July 17 2023, 6:00 AM to 8:15 PM

Third Monday: July 24 2023, 5:30 Am to 7:30 PM

Fourth Monday: July 31 2023, 6:15 AM to 7:25 PM

Fifth Monday: August 7 2023, 5:20 AM to 8:00 PM

Sixth Monday: August 14 2023, 5:45 AM to 7:20 PM

Seventh Monday: August 21 2023, 5:58 AM to 7:45 PM

Eighth Monday: August 28 2023, 6:02 AM to 8:12 PM

Chaturdashi Tithi: July 15 2023 – 08:32 PM on July 15 –  10:08 PM on July 16

Chaturdashi Tithi: August 14 2023 – 10:25 AM on August 14 – 12:42 PM on August 15

Shravan Month 2023: Rituals and Vrat

As our country and its cultures are so diverse, rituals differ from region to region. However, these are the most widely followed rituals during Shravan month. To celebrate Shravan Month 2023 in the most beneficial way, follow these rituals:

1. Puja

Devotees wake up, bathe and get dressed in clean clothes. This represents their purity and sincere devotion to lord Shiva. Then they make offerings to the idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. They make Panchamrit which is a holy offering made of Lord Shiva’s favourite ingredients. They also visit Shiva temples and make donations. People also chant mantras and Hymns dedicated to Lord Shiva.

2. Fasting

Fasting is one of the most important Shravan month rituals. People fast to show their love and devotion to the god. There are many different fasts that people follow during this month:

• Shravan Somvar Vrat- People keep this fast every Monday of the Sawan month. The month usually has 4-5 months. This fast is a way to connect with Lord Shiva.
• Solah Somvar Vrat- People keep this vrat for sixteen Mondays, starting from the first Sawan Monday. Women keep this fast, praying for an ideal husband.
• Mangala Gauri Vrat – Devotees keep this fast on the Tuesdays of the Sawan month. Women keep this fast to pray for a harmonious married life and for the longevity of their husbands.
• Pradosh Vrat – Pradosh Vrat is kept on the thirteenth day or the Trayodashi Tithi of the Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha. Fasting and doing puja on this day is extremely auspicious.
• Shani Vrat – People keep Shani Vrat on Saturdays. Saturdays are the days of god Shani. Therefore Shani Vrat seeks the blessings and protection of Lord Shani.

3. Rudra Abhishek

The word “Rudra” means fury. Anger and fury are one of the most prominent qualities of Lord Shiva, because of which Rudra is another name for him. He shows his anger through his cosmic dance, Tandav. During Sawan, devotees perform Abhishek, pouring holy water and Panchamrit on an idol of Lord Shiva. Doing this helps them get rid of their sins. Panchamrit is a mixture of milk, sugar, ghee, honey, curd, Ganga jal, Bael Patta and other favourite ingredients of Lord Shiva. Rudra Abhishek is a very auspicious ritual. Therefore, doing this purifies your body and mind and leads you to enlightenment.

4. Kanwar Yatra

In north India, devotees show their love for the Lord by carrying water on their backs. They perform this auspicious act barefoot. This is known as Kanwar Yatra. It’s one of the most significant rituals of Shravan Month in north India. Devotees dress up in saffron clothes and carry Kanwar pots from holy rivers. They also visit sacred places related to Lord Shiva. This is a gesture of showing their great dedication to the god.

Also Read: Ahoi Ashtami 2023

Shravan Month 2023: Somvar Vrat Katha

There is a very interesting story behind why people keep the Sawan Monday fast, which is as follows. According to Hindu mythology, once there was a moneylender who lived with his wife. He desperately wanted a son, but he was childless. He was a great believer in Lord Shiva. Therefore, he decided to keep a fast for Lord Shiva every Sawan Monday.

His act of devotion greatly impressed Maa Parvati. She told lord Shiva that he should fulfil the wishes of his dedicated devout. Shiv ji told Maa Parvati that the world has certain rules that should not be broken, but he eventually gave in to her stubbornness. He granted the moneylender a boon, and a son was born to him. However, the son could only live for twelve years. The moneylender took great care of his boy and raised him well. Then, he sent him to study with his uncle in Kashi and told him to perform havan and other holy deeds on his way. He studied along with his uncle and soon turned twelve.

As a result of Lord Shiva’s condition, the boy died, and his parents were in great distress. Coincidentally, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were passing by and saw this. Seeing the parents’ state left Maa Parvati in deep grief; she once again requested Shiv Ji to bring the boy back to life. Shiv Ji agreed and brought the boy back to life. He came in the dream of his father the next night and told him that he was impressed by his dedication. His Sawan Monday fast was a token of his faith and love for the god who saved his son’s life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, people celebrate this auspicious month to gain the blessings of Lord Shiva. Shiva Devotees practice many rituals like Puja, Shravan Somvar Vrat and Kanwar Yatra during this month, which makes it even more significant and meaningful. We encourage our readers to further explore the cultures of our country for a better understanding of beliefs and practices. To read more about such interesting stories related to our culture, visit the InstaAstro website or download the app.

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