Shravan

Shravan

Prior to the Ganesh festival, the Shravan month is observed by most Hindus. Shravan begins after the Gattari amavasya. This is a very religious month where all of us observe strict vegetarianism and also conduct prayers with regular observance of rituals and fast. People who install the Ganesh idol at home for Ganesh festival need to observe the rituals during the month of Shravan.

There is a certain pious aura felt during the Shravan month and there are festivities all around India. Set among the rainy season, the beauty of nature also makes us seek our spiritual self. Shravan Somvar or Mondays are also Important Days during the month of Shravan. It is believed that myth logically Shiva gulped the poison during the nectar churning and hence Mondays are believed to be observed with holiness.

Rudraksha is generally an auspicious thing that is worn by people during the month of Shravan. Regular festivities are conducted during the month of Shravan wherein the temples and similar religious sects offer a lot of commemorative service and bhajans on a regular basis. Poornima or the full moon day during Shravan is also a holy day.

There are numerous festivals that happen during Shravan that include Raksha Bandhan, Somvar fasting, Rishi Panchami and the Varalaxmi vrath in the south of India. The month of Aadi in the south is also a great time to appease the Goddesses and invoke their blessings. Mangatu bhajans are regular conducted in South Indian homes to seek the blessings of Mangatu amman who is revered as a dear Goddess.

Shravan is also the time of the birth of Krishna. All around India especially in the North and in Mumbai, several devotional people conduct the gopal kala by which they enact the way Krishna broke the butter laden earthen pots. Human pyramids are conducted and many social groups do it professionally and also organize for competitions. Following which Shravan ends and the Hartalika vrat is conducted before bringing in the idol of Lord Ganesha.