Shravan is a significant observance in Hinduism that honours Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This year, 2023, it will be celebrated from July 4 to August 31, spanning a rare duration of two months.
This elongation is attributed to the inclusion of an additional month called "Malamas" in the Hindu lunar calendar, which helps maintain synchronization with the lunar cycle. As 2023 includes this extra month, the celebration of Sawan will be extended by one month compared to its usual duration. Consequently, instead of the customary four Mondays and four Tuesdays dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, 2023 will witness an abundance of eight Mondays and eight Tuesdays dedicated to these deities.
Sawan starts on the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar, and each Monday (known as Shravan Somwar) is dedicated to Lord Shiva, while each Tuesday is devoted to Goddess Parvati. It is common for devotees to observe fasts on Tuesdays to honour Goddess Parvati, a practice known as Mangal Gauri Vrat according to the Drik Panchang. The legends, myths, and significance associated with this sacred festival hold great importance in Hinduism and the Hindu lunar calendar. Consequently, Sawan is widely regarded as the holiest month in Hinduism.
Sawan 2023: History and Significance
It is said that during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), Lord Shiva consumed poison in order to obtain the nectar of immortality, known as Amrit, to save the world. However, Goddess Parvati intervened and held his neck to prevent the poison from reaching his body, resulting in Lord Shiva experiencing immense pain and sustaining injuries.
As part of the Sawan tradition, devotees of Lord Shiva bring holy water from the sacred river Ganga to help heal his wounds.
Additionally, fasting on Mondays during the month of Shravan, known as Shravan Shomvar Vrats, is observed to express gratitude to Lord Shiva and to seek blessings for prosperity, success, and marriage. This month is widely regarded as his favourite, as it is entirely dedicated to honouring and worshipping Lord Shiva.
Sawan Somwar 2023: Important Tithi
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Sawan Starts Date - July 4, 2023, Tuesday
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First Sawan Somwar Vrat - July 10, 2023, Monday
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Second Sawan Somwar Vrat - July 17, 2023, Monday
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Sawan Adhika Maas Starts - July 18, 2023, Tuesday
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Third Sawan Somwar Vrat - July 24, 2023, Monday
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Fourth Sawan Somwar Vrat - July 31, 2023, Monday
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Fifth Sawan Somwar Vrat - August 7, 2023, Monday
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Sixth Sawan Somwar Vrat - August 14, 2023, Monday
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Seventh Sawan Somwar Vrat - August 21, 2023, Monday
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Eighth Sawan Somwar Vrat - August 28, 2023, Monday
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Sawan 2023 Ends - August 31, 2023, Thursday
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Sawan Shivratri Date: Sawan Shivratri, July 15, 2023
Sawan Somwar 2023: Pooja Vidhi
To begin your day, wake up early, take a bath, and wear clean clothes. Pour Ganga Jal on the deities while chanting "Om Namah Shivaya." Perform Jalabhishek for Lord Shiva Shankar, using water.
Offer intact, white sandalwood, white flowers, cannabis, datura, cow's milk, incense, panchamrit, betel nut, and belpatra to Lord Shiva. Chant "Om Namah Shivay Shivay Namah" and apply sandalwood tilak. On the Mondays of Sawan, read the Monday fast story, do aarti, offer ghee and sugar as prasad, and distribute it among all.
Sawan 2023: Fasting
The Sawan Somwar fast commences by waking up early in the morning, taking a bath, and then performing pooja as part of the observance.
