The holy season of Sawan, aka Shravan Maas, is starting today. This is considered the most auspicious time to impress Lord Shiva with all the devotees. The Bhole Baba will take away all your problems and worries, granting you the desires of your heart. Read below to learn more.
All about Sawan 2024
The holy month of Sawan is considered the fifth and purest month according to the Hindu calendar. It is said to be the best time to worship Lord Shiva. Praying in this time frame gives out the most majestic outcomes for the devotees. Whether you are struggling with Sade Sati of Saturn, Kaal Sarp Dosh, or even if the negative Yog of Rahu is giving you a hard time, worshiping Shiva in this month holds massive results to solve your every problem. Starting in mid-July, the next Monday soon after Guru Purnima, until the third week of August. This year, Sawan Maas begins from July 22 Monday until August 19.
Here are certain
Things you must do this year in Sawan Maas
- Rudraksh Abhisheak: Shiva, the calmest god yet the lord of destruction, is significantly known for his terribly infuriated rudra roop and his cosmic dance, ‘Shiva Tandava’. Performing the ritual of Abhishek in the Sawan season is considered the most effective way to wash out the sins of worshippers. Include the use of panchamrit (milk, ghee, sugar, honey, curd, and gangajal) along with other favorite ingredients of Lord Shiva like datura, bel patra, and bhang.
- Mantra Chanting: Chanting Lord Shiva’s mantra at this time helps you inherit esoteric wisdom. The chanting is done 108 times over the Rudraksha rosary. The worshippers chant the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra and Lord Shiva’s Beech Manta, “Om Namah Shivaya,” in the early morning or evening hours.
- Meditating and Bhakti: There is no need to perform super expensive and lavish rituals in order to impress Lord Shiva. Instead, even if you meditate during the early morning hours of Sawan, Lord Shiva still grants you protection and wisdom.
- Fasting: Fasting on Mondays is devoted to Lord Shiva. People often do it for four weeks. Fasting with true intentions during this season is said to overcome all your misconduct and sins. Sawan is often misunderstood as the fasting season, although it completely depends on the choice of devotee.
What food should I eat and avoid during the Sawan fast?
People only take one full meal a day during the Sawan maas, being mindful that it is said to avoid consuming onions, garlic, etc. as they are considered Tamasic foods. Common salts and spices like turmeric, red chili, garam masala, etc. should also be avoided while cooking meals. Refraining from consuming alcohol, non-vegetables, and full grains like lentils and flour also adds to the list.
Consuming all types of fruits and even certain veggies in your fasting diet is advised, like bottle gourd, potatoes, green chillies, fox nuts, and Singhara. Although spices are not to be used, some of them, like black pepper, clove, cumin, cardamom, and Sendha Namak (rock salt), can be used for cooking. Dry fruits and all dairy products can also be consumed during Sawan Maas. However, many advise against consuming milk, curd, and other dairy products that are offered to Lord Shiva during this time.
Major Sawan Blessings
Doing rituals with a pure heart is all that matters in the first place. Although these rituals are a pathway to gaining spiritual wisdom, reducing stress and anxiety, and giving you sound physical and mental health, they also help in increasing willpower and gathering courage. Unmarried women often fast for 16 Mondays (Solah Somvar) during Sawan, asking Bhole Baba for a good husband. For students, worshiping Lord Shiva brings peace, concentration, and increases their learning capacity. Not only this, but Shiva is considered the supreme god; worshiping him also helps you reduce obstacles during Saturn, Sade Sati, Dhaiya, and every other problem blessing you with your heartfelt desires in Sawan Maas.
