‘Shravan Maas' or the month of ‘Shravan' is a popular concept in the Hindu religion. As per the English calendar, one can say that this is the time when the monsoon approaches India.
However, from the religious angle this is the time of year when Lord Shiva is highly revered. The entire period is devoted to Him. The reason behind it lies in the famous legend of ancient times – the ‘Samudra Manthan' or the story of churning of ocean. It is said that when the ocean churned, a lot of things came out of it which were divided between ‘devtas' and ‘asuras'. However, when poison came out, nobody was ready to take possession of it. It was then that Lord Shiva, the annihilator of the Trinity of Lords, consumed the entire poison that came out of the churning.
As a result of this, His entire body became blue and hence people starting revering Him with the name ‘Neelkanth' (means someone whose throat is blue due to poison). In the month of ‘Shravan Maas', people revere Lord Shiva for this great deed.
‘Shravan Maas' starts during the month of July and ends in August. Every year the dates differ. The first day of this month is highly revered by Hindu devotees of Lord Shiva throughout the country. They please the deity by observing fasts on every Monday of this month. As per Hinduism, Monday is the day of reverence for Lord Shiva. Hence in order to please Him, one should pray to Him on this day.
It is believed that observing fasts on all Mondays throughout ‘Shravan' fulfils one's wishes. It is especially recommended to unmarried girls. It is said that when unmarried girls fast during the month of ‘Shravan', they get married soon.
These fasts start with the first Monday of ‘Shravan Maas'which is also known as ‘Shravan Somvar' or ‘Shravan ka pehla somvar'.
People observe fast on this day and pray to Lord Shiva by visiting His temples. There are different ways of pleasing the Lord on this day. Mantras like ‘Om Namah Shivay' or ‘Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra' are also chanted.
The day holds great significance as Monday is the day of Lord Shiva and by falling in the month when He is most revered, it doubles the auspiciousness. Hence it is said, if one starts observing ‘Shravan vrat' starting from ‘Shravan somvar', his wishes get fulfilled.
