The holy month of Sawan is starting from 14th July on the full moon day of Ashadh month i.e. the next day of Guru Purnima. The first Monday of Sawan is on 18th July. The month of Sawan has a special significance in Hinduism.
It is believed that the month of Sawan is the most beloved of Lord Shiva. This whole month greenery blooms everywhere. Worshiping Lord Shiva in this month gives desired results. The month of Sawan is beginning with auspicious yogas like Vishkumbh and Preeti. These yogas are considered very special for worshiping Lord Shiva in the month of Sawan. Rudrabhishek of Shivling in the month of Sawan also has special significance.
Significance of the month of Sawan
According to Shiva Purana, fasting on all Mondays of the month of Sawan brings blessings of Lord Shiva and all troubles and troubles are removed. Special worship is done in Sawan to remove premature death and to attain longevity and to remove all diseases. According to the scriptures, by worshiping Lord Shiva, Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, recitation of Shiva Purana, Rudrabhishek etc. in the month of Sawan, one gets freedom from debt, disease, obstacles and troubles and grief.
Sawan month is starting from 14th July and will end on 12th August. The first Monday of Sawan will be on 18 July, second Monday 25 July, third Monday on 01 August and fourth Monday on 08 August. Also, Shivratri of Sawan month is on 26 July 2022.
First monday in auspicious yoga
The first Monday of Sawan month is on 18th July and on this day there is a yoga called Ravi. It has been told in the scriptures that the practice of any mantra is more fruitful in this yoga. In this yoga, chanting of Mahamrityunjaya Mantra and recitation of Shiva Purana will be very beneficial for fulfillment of desires. Also, worshiping the Shiva family in Ravi Yoga removes all the troubles.
Story of Monday Fast
Once upon a time there lived a moneylender in a city. There was no dearth of money in his house, but he did not have any children. Because of this he was very sad. To have a son, he used to observe a fast every Monday and worship Lord Shiva and Parvati ji with full devotion by going to the Shiva temple. Seeing his devotion, one day Mother Parvati was pleased and requested Lord Shiva to fulfill the wish of that moneylender.
Hearing Parvati ji’s wish, Lord Shiva said – O Parvati, every creature in this world gets the fruits of his deeds and he has to suffer whatever is in his fate, but Parvati ji asked him to respect the devotion of the moneylender. He expressed his desire to fulfill his wish.
On the request of Mother Parvati, Shiva gave the moneylender the boon of having a son, but at the same time said that the age of his child would be only 12 years. The moneylender was listening to the conversation between Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva. He was neither happy nor sad about it. He continued to worship Shiva as before.
After some time a son was born to the moneylender. When the boy was 11 years old, he was sent to Kashi to study. The moneylender called the son’s maternal uncle and gave him a lot of money and said that you should take this child to Kashi to attain education and perform a yajna on the way. Wherever Yajna is performed, go there giving food to Brahmins and giving Dakshina.
Both uncles and nephews performed yajnas in the same way and went towards Kashi giving donations and dakshina to the Brahmins. There was a city in the night, where the daughter of the king of the city was married. The prince she was about to marry was one-eyed. the prince thought of a plan to hide the fact that his son did not have sight in one eye.
Seeing the moneylender’s son, he thought why not make this boy a bridegroom and get him married to the princess. After marriage, I will send it away with money and will take the princess to my city. The boy was married to the princess wearing the groom’s clothes, but the moneylender’s son was honest.
He did not find it justified and took the opportunity and wrote on the side of the princess’s sardine that you are married with me, but the prince with whom you will be sent is only one eye. I am going to Kashi to study.
When the princess read the words written on the sardine, she told this to her parents. The king did not send off his daughter, due to which the procession went back. On the other hand, the moneylender’s son and his maternal uncle reached Kashi and went there and performed the Yagya. The yajna was held on the day the boy attained the age of 12 years. The boy told his uncle that I was not feeling well. Mama said that you go to sleep.
According to Shiva’s boon, that child’s life passed away in a short time. Seeing the dead nephew, his maternal uncle started moaning. Coincidentally, Shiva and Mother Parvati were going from there at the same time.
On the request of Mother Parvati, Lord Shiva granted the boy a boon to be alive. By the grace of Shiva, the boy became alive. After finishing his education, the boy went to his city with his maternal uncle.
Both of them reached the same city where they were married. In that city also he organized a yagya. The boy’s father-in-law recognized him and took him to the palace and took care of him and sent his daughter away with him.
Nag Panchami Festival
Due to this day being Panchami Tithi, the festival of Nag Panchami will also be celebrated in some places. That is, on this day along with Lord Shiva, his servant Nag will also be worshipped. On this day Lord Shiva should be offered raw milk, Gangajal, Bel leaves, black sesame seeds, Datura, Bel leaves, sweets etc. and duly worshipped.
7 special fasting festivals in Sawan
*Monday, July 24 – Kamika Ekadashi
*Tuesday, July 26 – Monthly Shivratri
*Thursday, July 28 – Hariyali Amavasya
*Sunday, July 31 – Hariyali Teej
*Tuesday, August 2 – Nagpanchami
*Thursday, 12 August – Raksha Bandhan