Importance Of Shravan Month And Lord Shiva's Bhakti During Shravan Maas

Shravan is the fourth month in the Hindu calendar. It comes after Ashadha month. Shravan month is a very important period for devout Hindus and they consider it to be the holiest month of the year. In fact, every day in the month of Shravan month is considered auspicious. It is believed that one can win the special grace of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu during this holy month. Shravan month, in particular, holds a lot of importance for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is the God who bestows many boons.
The word “Shiva” connotes Kalyan (welfare). Lord Shiva is the main God in the worship of Panchadev (The Five Gods). Pushpadant has very well explained the glory of Lord Shiva in Shiv Mahima Stotra. He has said that in spite of being an eternal God, Lord Shiva has come to acquire the role of a creator, preserver and destroyer of this mundane world. Shiva is the cause of every living being's existence. So, let us know some interesting facts related to the Holy Shravan month-: 

The Significance Of Shravan Month  

As per the traditional story, the daughter of Daksh had sacrificed her life and was reborn as Parvati in the home of Himalaya King. Parvati wanted to marry Lord Shiva. That is the reason why she performed penance during Shravan month. Lord Shiva was pleased with the devotion of Parvati and he fulfilled her wish. Lord Shiva likes the Shravan month very much as he got reunited with his wife during this period. During the holy Shravan month, Shivaling is worshipped and people pray to Lord Shiva for the entire night. All this is done to win the special grace of Lord Shiva. Any act which violates the religious principles is strictly prohibited during Shravan month. It's important to follow religion, to win the grace of God. It's also important to please the planets, who are the agents of God.

The Importance Of Shravan Monday (Somvar)  

Monday is represented by Moon, which in turn symbolises Mind. Moon is placed on Lord Shiva's head. Lord Shiva is believed to discipline the mind of the spiritual aspirant and the devotees. That is why Lord Shiva is especially worshipped on Monday. If you worship Shivaling on Shravan Monday, you can win his special grace. Men, women and especially unmarried girls fast on this day to please Lord Shiva.  

Now, let us know how Lord Shiva is worshipped in Shravan month -: 

The materials for worshipping Him: Gangajal, akshat (uncooked rice), flowers,  Panchamrut (made of milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar), Nadachari (kalava, colourful thread), Yagyopavit, fruits, sweets, incense (agarbatti), dhoop. 

Puja Procedure 

While worshipping Lord Shiva, be seated facing the East. Thereafter, take some water in the right hand and make your wish. Meditate on Lord Shiva. Then, pour pure water over the Shivling. Pour the panchamrut on the Shivling and keep reciting the mantra Om Namah Shivaya. Then once again pour water over the Shivling and offer Akshat (uncooked rice) to the Shivling. Thereafter, place the sacred thread and Bel Patra and put the agarbatti (incense sticks). Offer sweets to the Lord and seek forgiving for the wrong deeds. 

Interesting Facts:

Additionally, in this significant month some special fifteen days are really important to worship God for that particular day:

Tithi- God

Padyami – Lord Brahma

Vidiya - Sriyahpati

Tadiya - Goddess Parvati

Chaturthi - Ganesha

Panchami - Shashi

Sashti – Naga Devatalu

Saptami - The Sun

Ashtami - Durga

Navami – Matru Devatalu

Dashami - Dharmaraju

Ekadashi - Rushis

Dwadashi - Srimahavisnuvu

Trayodasi - Anangudu

Chaturdasi - Lord Shiva

Purnima - Ancestors

The Benefits Of Worshipping Lord Shiva:

•  If we perform his Abhishek, our soul gets cleansed.
•  If we bathe him with scented water, we are blessed with a son
•  If we offer him Naivaidya, our life's longevity increases
•  If we light a Diya before his idol, we are graced with knowledge
•  If we offer Pan (betel leaves) to Lord Shiva, we get ample food
•  If we bathe his idol with milk, we get peace of mind
•  If we perform his Abhishek with curd, we get good vehicle and cattle wealth 
•  If we perform his Abhishek with ghee, sugar cane water, we are blessed with wealth and happiness.
• If we bathe him with Darbh water, then our problems will get solved.
• If we bathe him with Ganga water, we attain Moksha (salvation).
• If we offer Bhaang to him, we get blessed with victory and our desired wish is fulfilled. 

Things Which Are Considered Inauspicious In Lord Shiva Worship 

There are some things which are considered inauspicious if used in the worship of Lord Shiva. Let us now know about them: 

Sindur or Kumkum: Scriptures tell us that we should not put kumkum or roli on the Shivling. Lord Shiva is a renunciant and destroyer, so it's wrong to worship him with sindoor. Rather sandalwood paste is used to worship him.

Tulsi: Normally, tulsi is considered very auspicious but putting Tulsi on Lord Shiva is prohibited. It is believed that Lord Shiva had killed the husband of Tulsi, demon Jaalandhar. So, Tulsi is not put on Lord Shiva's idol. There is another story that Lord Vishnu had accepted Tulsi as his wife. So, Tulsi leaves are not offered to Lord Shiva. 

Shankh (Conch shell): Lord Shiva had killed a demon called Shankhchood. Shankh is the symbol of this demon. That is why water is not offered to Lord Shiva in a Shankh.  

Shravana Masam Pooja Procedure:

• House should be clean and tidy.
• Observe fasting on Mondays if possible to perform somavara vratham. Unmarried girls who perform somavara vratham will get a good husband.
• Take one day meals. Fasting during day time and eating at night time is prescribed.
• Try to avoid taking non vegetarian food.
• Wear Rudraksha and use rudraksha for japa mala
• Try to chant Shiva chalisa and maha mrutuyumjaya mantra
• After performing vratha thread has to be soaked in turmeric water and need to tied to the wrist of the hand

Scientific Reasons:

• Shravana start falls in the Capricorn which is ruled by Saturn. Shravana Masam is very auspicious for beginning any new ventures as the sun transits in to the Capricorn and comes opposite to Shravana star the doors of vaikuntam will be opened.
• Shravana Masam is very special for good deeds.
• As per Hindu astrology people born in Shravana masam are honored by the world.
• Shravana month comes in Monsoon Season where there is less sunlight thus effects digestive system to function weakly. so people will eat less on the name of fasting.
• Water Borne diseases will spread rapidly in this month.Fasting will boost the immunity system to prevent diseases. The inner meaning eat less and live more.
• Eating non-veg is strictly prohibited because possibly they may affected from bacteria and virus which will take birth in this season.
• According to Ayurveda, mind will more unstable in this season due to vata imbalance in the body hence these festivals came to existence to control mind.
• This month is also known as month of love, most of the mammals will breed in this month so hunting and eating mammals is a great sin.  
• These weeping sounds which ends with nasal constant(MMMM in BAM BAM BOLE) will bring calmness and control on mind