Shravan Purnima

Shravan Purnima is the full-moon day of the month of Shravan, which falls during the July-August months of the western calendar. Shravan is one of the holiest months in the Hindu calendar, and many Hindu festivals occur during this month. Coinciding with the beginning of the monsoons, this month marks the beginning of the festive 4-month period of Hindu traditions.

All regions of India celebrate many festivals during this period, including Avani Avittam of Tamil Nadu, Pavitropana of Central India, Raksha Bhandan, Narial Purnima of Maharashtra and Kajri Purnima of Madhya Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh. 

Traditions :

The Shravan Purnima or full-moon day of the Shravan Month is celebrated as Kajri Purnima in Central India. It coincides with the Raksha Bandhan celebrations, the tying of the bond of protection or Rakhi on the hands of brothers by sisters.

Kajri Purnima is a Farmers Festival. On the ninth day after Shravan Amavasya or New Moon day, women go out and collect earth in leaf cups. Barley or some other cereal is sown in these leaf cups. A room in the house is cleaned and purified using cow dung and water. In this room, the leaf cups are kept and tended to. The room is decorated with figures drawn in rice flour. Traditional Figures of a child, a house, a woman carrying a pot and a mongoose are the usual figures depicted on this occasion.

The celebrations and ceremonies continue until Shravan Purnima or Full-Moon day. Women fast during this period. On the day of the Shravan Purnima, the leaf cups are carried out in procession by the women to the nearest pond or lake or river and immersed in it. It is a prayer for a good harvest. They worship Goddess Bhagavathi and seek her blessing for a good crop that year. 

2016 Date : 18th August, Thursday.

2017 Date : 7th August.

Damodar Dwadashi

Damodar Dwadashi, or Damodara Dwadasi, is observed on the 12th day of the waxing phase of moon (Shukla Paksha) of Shravan month.It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Donating rice, fruits and clothes to Brahmin priests is considered auspicious on this day. Devotees observe fast on this day and visit lord Vishnu temples.

2016 date : 15^th August.

Juhlan Yatra 2016

Jhulan Yatra, or the swing festival, is observed in the Shravan month and begins on the Pavitra Ekadasi and is generally observed for 5 days until Sravan Purnima or Balaram Purnima. In some temples, the Jhulan Yatra festival is observed only for a day. In other temples, it is celebrated on all five days from Ekadashi to Poornima.

Of all the sacred places in India, Mathura, Vrindavan, and Mayapur are most famous for Jhulan Yatra celebrations.During the thirteen days of Jhulan-from the third day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Shravan (July�August) until the full moon night of the month, called Shravan Purnima, which usually coincides with the Raksha Bandhan festival-thousands of Krishna devotees throng from around the world to the holy cities of Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, and Mayapur in West Bengal, India. The idols of Radha and Krishna are taken out from the altar and placed on heavily decked swings, which are sometimes made of gold and silver. Vrindavan's Banke Bihari Temple and Radha-Ramana Temple, Mathura's Dwarkadhish temple, and Mayapur's ISKCON temple are some of the major places where this festival is celebrated in their greatest grandeur.

The monsoon is very humid, and the temperature is still high despite plenty of rain. The joy at this time is to find a cool breeze, as the air is heavy with the humidity of the rains. So the devotees arrange for the pleasure and satisfaction of Krishna and Srimati Radharani by placing them on a swing (Jhulan) and creating their own breeze from the motion.

It is a most pleasing and satisfying festival, with the swings often highly decorated with forest creepers, jasmine (malati) that has newly blossomed in the season, and streamers of garlands. Sometimes they use a fine spray of rose water and direct it toward the Divine Couple on the swing.

2016 Date : 14^th August to 18^thAugust.

Things to do in Shravan(Sawan) Month

According to shivapuran, for every problem there is a solution. To make Lord shiva happy you can do these things:

1. If you offer rice to Lord Shiva, it will help you in monetary aspects.
2. Offering �Til�, can wash out your sins.
3. Offering �Jau� can make your life more sorted.
4. Offering wheat can make you potent and luckier in child matters.

According to shivpuran, these magical liquid potions will give the following benefits

1. If you are having high fever, offering ganga jal on Shivlinga will help you.
2. Lord Shiva can make your brain sharper, offer him shakkar & water mixed together.
3. Offering Sugarcane juice on a Shivlinga makes your life easier.
4. Offering Gangajal on Shivlinga takes you closer to moksha.
5. Offering Honey on Shivlinga cures and helps in Tuberculosis.
6. If you are physically weak, you should offer milk on a Shivlinga. 

According to shivpuran, these magical liquid potions will give the following benefits

1. If you are having high fever, offering ganga jal on Shivlinga will help you.
2. Lord Shiva can make your brain sharper, offer him shakkar & water mixed together.
3. Offering Sugarcane juice on a Shivlinga makes your life easier.
4. Offering Gangajal on Shivlinga takes you closer to moksha.
5. Offering Honey on Shivlinga cures and helps in Tuberculosis.
6. If you are physically weak, you should offer milk on a Shivlinga. 

Flowers according to Shivapuran, The most beneficial flowers to offer Lord Shiva

1. Offering Red & White colored flowers on a Shivling, takes you closer to the path of self.
2. Offering jasmine to Lord Shiva, blesses you with vehicular benefits.
3. Offering Shami�s leaves takes you closer to the path of self.
4. Offering Bel leaves on Shiva blesses you with an attractive spouse.
5. Offering Juhi flowers on Lord Shiva, always keeps your house full of money. 

Measures to do during Sawan:

1. Write �Aum Namah Shivay� on 21 Bel Leaves and offer it on a shivling, Lord Shiva will fulfill all your wishes.

2. If you have some issue at your home, spray Gaumootra (cow�s urine) in the morning and burn googal (incense).

3. If there are marriage issues in your life, offer kesar milk on a shivlinga.

4. During sawan, feed Nandi (bail), green fodder.

5. Feed poor and needy people during the month of sawan.

6. For peace of mind, go to Shiva�s temple after you have done all your morning chores and sit there for a while. Chanting �Aum Namah Shivay� inside your mind will help you calm yourself down.

7. Feed fishes living in a pond or river with flour balls (atte ki goliyan).

Measure to make Lord Shiva Happy and improve your financial situations:

1. Establish a parad Shivlinga in your house and chant ?? ????? ????? ?? ??: ?????: ????? ????? ?? for about 108 times.

2. With each mantra you chant, offer a bel patra on the Shivlinga. Write the mantra all over the three parts of the leaf. The last leaf you offer to lord shiva can be kept in your home�s temple and you can worship it as well.

Measure to gain a child:

After taking a bath on anyday during sawan, worship lord shiva, and make 11 Shivlingas out of wheat flour. Offer water on each for about 11 times. Do this for 21 days and consume the water as a prasadam. 

Measure to cure illness:

During sawan on a Monday, mix black til in milk and offer it on a Shivlinga. Do not use a copper utensil to offer this. Chant  ?? ??? ?:  while you are offering the milk. Pray to Lord shiva about your illness after this. In the night, after 9:15pm, offer about 250 gms of cow�s milk (raw) on a Shivlinga. 

Sravan Shivaratri

Masik Shivaratri  observed in the  month of Sravan is known as the Sravan Shivaratri.Devotees observe strict fast on this day. They perform Shiv pooja and visit Lord Shiva temples.All lord Shiva temples decorated beautifully and observe this festival in a grand manner.

Sawan Shivaratri is observed in a grand manner in Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar. In amavasyant calenders it is observed in Ashadam month.

2016 Date :  1st August, Monday.

2017 Date : 21st July.

Ujjain Mahakal Sawari 2016 Dates

During the month of Shravana, the savari is being organised on every Monday upto the Amavasya in the dark fortnight of the Bhadrapada, even from the bright fortnight of the Kartika, then to the dark fortnight of Magasirsha, the procession of Lord Mahakala it taken throughout the streets of Ujjain.

The last Sawari during Bhadrapada is been celebrated with great pomp and show and draws attendance of lakhs of devotees.

This event takes place between 4:00 pm to 7:30 p.m.

2016 Dates 

July 25th

August 1st

August 8th

August 15th

Mangala Gauri Vrat

Mangala Gauri vrat is observed by  married women on Tuesdays of Hindu month of Shravana. This vrat is dedicated Goddess Gauri (Parvathi).It is performed for a happy married life and for the long life of the husband.

Shravan month is very dear to Lord Shiva and every Monday devotees worship and observe fast to dedicate to Mahadev. Likewise, every Tuesday in this month is deeply dedicated to Goddess Parvati. Women observe Mangala Gowri Vratham for longevity and success of their married life. Therefore, this Vrat is especially observed by married women.

The vrata is mentioned in the holy books called Bhavishyoththara Purana of the hindu religion and is followed in the southern states of India. The vrata vidhan varies from region to region but the belief is the same. 

Story :

Mangala Gowri Vratham Katha goes in this way:- It is believed that in ancient times, a merchant named Dharampal lived in a place with his wife. He had not any kind of shortage of wealth in his life except children. He and his wife were desperately waiting for a child and with the blessing of God, they had a baby boy. But their son was cursed of the short life. He was gifted 16 years of life only. Before he achieved the age of sixteen, he got married with a beautiful girl whose mother observed the Mangala Gowri fast and was blessed that her daughter would never face widowhood. And this Grace of Goddess Parvati made that girl's husband ( Dharampal's sonn) free from his curse. And this way, he achieved the long happy married life. Likewise, any person, especially married woman, who observes Mangala Gowri fast certainly achieves the long happy married life with full of happiness and prosperity.

The reason why young women perform mangala gowri pooja is to be "Sumanagali" and "Soubhagyavati" (meaning: remain safe from the curse of widowhood). The poojas are also done to get good "santan" (meaning: children).

2016 Dates 

For Purnimant Calenders (followed in north india)

• 26th July
• 2nd August
• 9th August
• 16th August

For Amavasyant calenders (followed in south india )

• 9th August
• 16th August
• 23rd August
• 30th August

Shravan Somvar (Monday) Dates 2016

Shravan Somvars hold a great significance because they are the special days of Lord Shiva in the special holy month. Highly auspicious results can be obtained by worshiping Lord Shiva on Shravan Somvars every year.

It is believed that observing Somvar Vrat will help to attain prosperity and a long, peaceful family life. Those who fast during Shravan Maas, go to the temple, and attend Rudrabhishekam.Somvar Vrat begins at sunrise on Monday. Usually those devotees observing the Vrat, visit a Lord Shiva Temple in the morning and the evening. After attending the evening Rudrabhishekam, people break the fast and eat a light supper. Those who cannot fast (children, elders, and sick people) can do a partial fast that includes a single meal taken after noon (no breakfast). They can also eat fruit  and visit the Lord Shiva Temple.

Dates 2016 :

Purnimant Calender followed in north india : 

25th July

1st August

8th August

15th August

Amavasyant Calender followed  : 

8th,15th,22nd, 29th August.

Benefits of observing Vrat :

All the difficulties and tensions of life will disappear

Lord Shiva blesses unmarried ladies with desired husband

Lord Shiva blesses married ladies with long life and well being of husband and sons

Lord Shiva fulfills all the desires and wishes of his devotees

Lord Shiva blesses his devotees with wealth and prosperity.

For Somvar Vrat Click Here 

Shravan month 2016

Shravan is the fifth month from traditional Hindu calendar. This month begins in late July and ends in the third week of August. Shravan month is also known as Avni in Tamil. With the beginning of the Shravan month, Sun enters in Leo.This month is considered as the holiest month of the year as it comes with religious festivals and ceremonies. Almost every single day is considered as auspicious in this month.

The legends and Hindu mythology say that the famed Samudra Manthan took place in the month of Shravan. The halahal or the deadly poison that was a by-product of the Manthan was partaken by the Lord Shiva to save the world. And, the other Devas offered Gangajal to Shiva to lessen the ill-effects of this poison that gave the name of Neelkanth to Shiva. And, hence the connection! In the month of Shravan, it is said that the one who offers Gangajal to the Shiva Lingam (the symbol of Shiva himself) gets all his/ her wishesfulfilled.

All days are considered to be auspicious in shravan month.

Monday - Lord shiva

Tuesday - Gauri matha

Wednesday - Forms of vishnu

Thursday - Forms of guru(Saibaba, Budha)

Friday - Forms of Godesses Lakshmi

Saturday - Shani (considered To be  wealth saturdays)

Sunday - Sun god.

Things to do in shravan month :

�         Offer shiva vibuthi 

�         Wear Rudraksha

�         Make offering bel leaves,Panchamruth on shiva ling.

�         Read shiva chalisa and aarti

�         Chant maha mrityunjaya mantra

Apart from this, Shravan is the favorite month of almost all Indians. As in this time, rainy season begins. Newly married women visit their parent�s place. Basically, a woman after getting married, celebrates her first Sawan month at her parents� house only. Not only this, children and women hang swings on trees to enjoy the auspicious month. It is not practically possible to celebrate such festivals in metro cities, but in villages and small towns people put their best efforts to celebrate it.

The whole world feels relieved in the month of Shravan with the cool breezes and rains, after the hot season of summers. It seems like all the birds and insects come out to greet Lord Shiva. Water level also increases in the month of Savan. Nature regains its beauty in the month of Shravan.

As per Purnimant calenders, Shravana month in begins on 20th July and ends 19th August 2016.

Major Festivals are  Kamika Ekadashi, Shravana Somavar vrat, Mangala Gauri vrat, Varalakshmi vrat, hariyali teej, Naga panchami, Putrada Ekadashi, Raksha Bandan, Kajari teej and Srikrishna Janmashtami.

According to Amavasyant calenders, Shravana masam starts on 3rd August and concludes on 2nd September 2016.

Major Festivals are Shravana Somavar vrat, Mangala Gauri vrat, Varalakshmi vrat, hariyali teej, Naga panchami, Putrada Ekadashi, Raksha Bandan, Kajari teej, Srikrishna Janmashtami and Aja Ekadashi.