The month of Sawan has come right after the day of Guru Purnima. This fifth month in the Hindu calendar is considered as one of the most sacred months of the year. This year, the auspicious month of Sawan is showering its blessings from July 11, 2025. At this period of time, Shravan nakshatra is observed as the ruling nakshatra, so this month is also known as Shravan month.
On the onset of Chaturmas (four months of monsoon season), it is believed that Lord Vishnu enters Yoga Nidra or deep slumber beneath Kheer Sagar. During this period, Lord Shiva takes charge to regulate the smooth functioning of the universe. Thus, the first month of Chaturmas is wholly devoted to Lord Shiva, who governs the whole world during this period. The devotees profoundly feel the presence of Shiva tatva surrounding them, making them experience the creation at its best phase with lush green colour prominently seen everywhere, later inviting Hariyali Teej as a mark of celebrations.
The pious month of Sawan is greatly associated with the worship of Lord Shiva, also revered as Neelkanth, after drinking the ‘halahal’, a kind of deadly poison that came during Samudra manthan that was held in the Sawan month. As all the deities poured Gangajal on Lord Shiva to lessen the effect of halahal, thereby it became a ritual among devotees to pour water and other offerings called Rudrabhishek as a mark of gratitude to their saviour Mahadev. By practicing this ritual of Rudrabhishek, devotees find an unknown calmness, removal of negativity and attainment of their desired goals in life.
According to another mythological legend, Devi Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya, observed rigorous penance to marry Lord Shiva during the month of Sawan. Greatly pleased by Devi Parvati's intense worship, Lord Shiva blessed her by giving a revered place on the whole left part of his body and thus Lord Shiva is also known as Bhagavan Ardhnarishwar. This marks the beginning of observing fasts on Shravan Somvar to achieve marital bliss and also to find the best partner with the blessings of Lord Shiva.
The chanting of ‘Om Namah Shivaye’ and Mrityunjaya mantras in every temple, the deep devotion of Kawariyas reciting ‘BolBam’, on the busy roads lifting ornate Kawars on their shoulders with Gangajal makes the whole atmosphere immersed in Shiv Bhakti in this sacred month of Sawan. Let Devadhidev Mahadev bless every one of us with eternal joy and purify our body, mind and soul by his supernatural showers of sanctity this year and forever.
