Sravana Masam, also known as Sawan Mahina, is the fifth month in the traditional Hindu calendar, following Ashada Masam. The month derives its name from the Sravana Nakshatra, the ruling star on the full moon day (Pournami) during this period.
Importance of Sravana Masam
Sravana Masam is highly auspicious for Hindus, especially for worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, Sri Maha Vishnu, and Lord Shiva. The Sravana Nakshatra is the birth star of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu, and according to ancient scriptures, performing Pujas and Vrathas during this month yields the most auspicious results.
Key Festivals in Sravana Masam
- Vara Lakshmi Vratham
- Mangala Gowri Vratham
- Naga Panchami
- Rakhi Pournami
- Polala Amavasya
Sravana Masam 2024 Dates
Amavasyant Calendar States
In Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu:
- Start Date: Monday, 5th August 2024
- End Date: Tuesday, 3rd September 2024
Purnimanth Calendar States
In Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and other North Indian states:
- Start Date: Monday, 22nd July 2024
- End Date: Monday, 19th August 2024
Sravana Sukravaram Dates in 2024
Fridays are significant for worshipping Sri Maha Lakshmi. Varalakshmi Vratham is generally celebrated on the second Friday or the Friday just before Purnima.
- August 9
- August 16
- August 23
- August 30
Sravana Somavaram Dates in 2024
Mondays are dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- August 5
- August 12
- August 19
- August 26
- September 2
Mangala Gowri Vratham Dates in 2024
Married women observe Mangala Gowri Vratham on Tuesdays.
- August 6
- August 13
- August 20
- August 27
- September 3
Rituals and Traditions
Lord Shiva Worship
According to ancient scriptures, the Samudra Manthan (churning of the sea) occurred during this month. This legendary event involved the gods and demons using the Sumeru Parvatha for churning and the snake Vasuki as a rope. Numerous invaluable gems emerged from the sea, but so did the deadly poison Halahal. Lord Shiva consumed this poison, storing it in his throat, which turned blue, earning him the name Neel Kanth (Blue Throat).
Rituals During Sravana Masam
Devotees observe the following rituals for the blessings of Lord Shiva:
- Fasting on Sravana Somavaram (Mondays)
- Daily Temple Visits: Visiting Lord Shiva temples and performing Panchamrutha Abhishekam.
- Offering Bilva Patra: Presenting Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva.
- Reciting Mantras: Chanting Maha Mrityunjay Mantra, Lingastakam, and Shiva Namasmarana.
- Month-long Fasting: Some devotees fast throughout the entire month and make daily offerings to Lord Shiva.
During Sravana Masam, the grace of Mother Lakshmi is believed to overflow, making it a powerful time for worship and devotion.
Cultural Beliefs:
Shravan star is believed to be very auspicious star in which Lord Vishnu was born. Also, Lord Brahma had seen Lord Vishnu for the first time on the day of Shravan star. Lord Govinda form also took place in the same time. Lord Govinda stepped in Tirumala hill in search of Goddess Maha Lakshmi on the day of Shravan star.
In olden days Shravan mas is meant to be auspicious month to start learning so upakarma takes place in this month to start studying Vedas,
Shravana Masam is very special for Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Gowri Devi.
Significance:
Ashada masam, known for separating newly married couples where as Shravanam joins them. Festivals’ beauty is brought by Shravanam. It is so precious. Shravana means listening and this is an art. A good listener is a good decision maker.
As a wife known for forming a good family, she likes Shravana amongst all. The festival in this month are so popular and precious. Monday is precious in Karthika Masam, Thursday is precious in Margasira Masam, likewise all Mondays,Tuesdays,Fridays,Saturdays are precious in Shravanam.
Festivals of Shravana Masam:
Shravan is the most important month for women. Women who perform vrathams in this month will bestowed with all happiness and prosperity.
Varalakshmi Vratam:
The first and foremost festival in Shravanam is Garuda Panchami. Lord Garuda, who had worked hard to release his mother from servant work, and so had become the vahanam(vehicle) for Lord Vishnu and a purana is named after him, Garuda Purana.This day(Shravana Sudha Panchami) we should pray Lord Garuda to get (Win) strength ,Courage.
Shravana Sudha Saptami is good for praying Lord Surya(sun). Shravana Sudha Ekadashi (Putradhi Ekadashi) is well known for Ekadashi vratam to be booned with children for childless.Donating umbrella is precious.Shravana Sudha dwadashi(Damodara Dwadashi) for praying Lord Sri Hari and to pray Goddess Parvathi and Lord Shiva on Tryodashi and Chaturdashi.
Varalakshmi vratam has to be done on the friday before shravana pournami. This vrat is been preached by Lord Shiva to Parvathi. By doing this vrat all married women believe in their good lives with husband, children and prosperity.
Mangala Gowri:
New married women should perform Mangala Gowri vratham for longetivity and welfare of their husband.This vrat is to be performed on all tuesdays of shravanam as parvathi stops Shiva taking poision while churning milky ocean.This vrat to be performed by all married ladies. Gowri named after Goddess Parvathi done Tapas for changing her complextion from black to red (Goura Varnam).So, Shiva preached that praying Lord Gowri on Shravana Tuesdays will give all happiness and prosperity.
Mondays(Lord Shiva) and Saturdays(Family ilavelpu) are precious in shravanam. Pournami in shravanam is also known as Rakhi Pournami or Jandhyala pournami. Rakhi Pournami, the day on which sisters tie a raksha bandhan(rakhi) to their brothers which means brothers have to safeguard their sisters’ lives. Jandhyala Pournami, a festival for a married man who has got the upanayanam done and he has to change his jandhyam or Yagnopavetham on this auspicious day and do Gayathri mantra Japam. Hayagriva (Knowledge god) and Santoshi Matha had taken their forms on this auspicious day. Maa Lakshmi had been given control on money and Maa Sarawasthi had been given control on Education (Knowledge) by Hayagriva on this day. Sage Agasthya preached with Lalitha Sahasranamam by Hayagriva on this special day.
Performing Sankata Hara Chathurdhi in this month is equivalent performing it in the whole year every month and even when not done all along the year are being blessed by Lord Ganesha.
Shravana Shukla Ashtami is known as Krishnashtami or Gokulashtami(the birthday of Lord Krishna). We have to pray Lord Govinda and offer him milk, fruits,cheese and butter. Ekadashi followed by fulfills our wishes if performed with Ekadashi Vrat. Butter to be donated which results in precious wishes fulfilled.
Shravana Bahula Amavasya is known as Polala Amavasya and all Farm Animals will be prayed on this day.
Kanwar yatra is famous in north India traveling long distance on bare foot to bring Ganga water by reciting BAM BAM BOLE. It was stated in skanda purana the people who succeeds this yatra will gain virtues of Ashwamedha Yagna when done with Shiva Abhishekam.