What are the Special Benefits to Observe Shravan Somwar Fast?
The holy month of ‘Shravan’ is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Staunch Shiva devotees pray the whole thirty days to please him and seek his blessings for a happier life. The fifth month, according to the Hindu calendar is called Shravan month. All the Mondays, which fall under this month are considered auspicious and sacred. Fasting on these Mondays are called, ‘Shravan Somvaar Vrat’. Lord Shiva is also called, ‘Bholenath’ because he listens to the prayers of all his devotees who pray to him with a pure soul. Unmarried females observe this fast to get Lord Shiva kind of ideal husband in their lives. Others who are seeking blessings from their beloved deity also observe this fast to fulfill what their hearts yearn for.
What are the rituals to be performed while one is observing the ‘Shravan Somwar Vrat’?
- The devotee has to take a shower early in the morning before praying to the deities and wear white clothes.
- After purification is done, one cleans the praying area and place the idols or the ‘Shivalinga’ there.
- First and foremost, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as he is considered the son of Lord Shiva. And is blessed by him with the boon that he will be worshipped before anyone else in every ‘pujan’.
- The devotee then prays to Lord Shiva by chanting the powerful mantra of “Om Namaha Shivay”.
- Items such as ‘Bilva’ leaves, white flowers, holy Ganga water, honey and milk are then offered to the deity.
- The ‘Shivalinga’ is offered Honey or milk or if possible ‘Ganga’ water, which is called, ‘Abhishek’ of the ‘Shivalinga’.
- Devotee has to observe a fast from sunrise to sunset and can have his/her meal after the ‘Aarti’ is performed at the sunset.
- Devotees chant the ‘Maha Mrintujyaye’ mantra this day in order to seek blessings for a longer life. Devotees also recite the ‘Shiva Puran’.
What mantra should be chanted on this day or every Monday?
The mantra that should be chanted by all Lord Shiva devotes is as under:
ध्यायेन्नित्यंमहेशं रजतगिरिनिभं चारुचंद्रावतंसं रत्नाकल्पोज्ज्वलांग परशुमृगवराभीतिहस्तं प्रसन्नम् ।
What is the legend behind celebrating ‘Shravan Somwar Vrat’?
There are two legendary stories attached to the ‘Shravan Somwar’. According to the folklore, at the time of ‘Samudra Manthan’ (churning of the oceans), poison emerged from the ocean. It was quite dangerous and both sides of Gods and Demons refuse to accept it. That is when, Lord Shiva consumed it and due to his great ascetic and yogic powers could withhold it in his throat, which turned blue due to its effect and eventually Lord Shiva also came to be known as the ‘Neelkantha’. Lord Shiva also crowned the crescent moon on his head to prevent the ill effects of the moon. The second legend says that Goddess Parvati kept fast on all Mondays of the holy month ‘Shravan’ to get Lord Shiva as her husband and since then the tradition of fasting on Mondays to please Lord Shiva so that he blesses unmarried girls who want to find their ideal spouses. Lord Shiva blesses those who are pure at heart and are not affected by the negative energies of the ‘Kalyuga’.