Dates: Sawan 2024 Start Date and End Date

Significance

Sawan is a holy month in Hinduism dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer and regenerator of the universe. It's considered an auspicious time for spiritual practices and seeking blessings from Lord Shiva.

This year is particularly special because both the start and end dates fall on a Monday, which is a rare occurrence happening after 72 years. During this period, devotees observe various rituals, including fasting on Mondays, offering milk and water to Shiva, and performing special prayers and aartis.

The month of Sawan holds deep spiritual significance due to its association with the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) and the story of Lord Shiva consuming poison to save the universe. Devotees believe that worshipping Shiva during this month can bring blessings, remove obstacles, and fulfill wishes.

Special Significance of Five Mondays in Sawan

1. First Monday: Starting Sawan Somwar with devotion, people consider this day highly auspicious for initiating new ventures and seeking blessings for prosperity.
2. Second Monday: This day is believed to bring peace and harmony to family life. Devotees pray for the well-being and happiness of their loved ones.
3. Third Monday: The focus of prayers on this day is on health and longevity. It is an ideal time to seek divine intervention for healing and protection from illnesses.
4. Fourth Monday: This Monday is dedicated to seeking spiritual growth and enlightenment. Devotees pray for wisdom and guidance in their spiritual journey.
5. Fifth Monday: The final Monday of Sawan Somwar 2024 coincides with Rakshabandhan, making it doubly significant. It is a time to seek overall well-being and fulfillment of personal wishes.

Rituals and Puja Vidhi for Sawan Somwar

Observing Sawan Somwar involves specific rituals and practices. Here is a simple guide to performing the Sawan Somwar Puja:

1. Fasting: Devotees observe a fast from sunrise to sunset. Some people opt for a complete fast, consuming only water, while others may have fruits and milk.
2. Morning Rituals:
   • Wake up early and take a bath.
   • Wear clean, preferably white, clothes.
   • Visit a nearby Shiva temple or create a small altar at home with a Shiva Linga or an idol of Lord Shiva.
3. Offering Water and Milk:
   • Pour water mixed with Ganga Jal (holy water from the Ganges) over the Shiva Linga.
   • Offer milk, honey, and yogurt to the Shiva Linga.
   • Place Bilva leaves (Bel Patra) on the Shiva Linga, as these are believed to be very dear to Lord Shiva.
4. Chanting and Prayers:
   • Recite the Shiva Panchakshara Mantra: “Om Namah Shivaya.”
   • Read or listen to Shiva Purana or other stories and hymns dedicated to Lord Shiva.
5. Evening Rituals:
   • Light a diya (oil lamp) and incense sticks in the evening.
   • Offer fruits, sweets, and flowers to the deity.
   • Perform Aarti (ritual of worship with light) and sing devotional songs.
6. Breaking the Fast:
   • The fast is broken after evening prayers, typically with a light meal.

Key Features of Sawan 2024

Sawan Shivratri 2024

Date and Time:

Sawan Shivratri in 2024 falls on Friday, August 2nd. The auspicious puja timings will likely fall within these ranges:

• Ratri Pratham Prahar (First Watch): 08:24 PM to 11:01 PM (IST)
• Ratri Dwitiya Prahar (Second Watch): 11:01 PM to 01:38 AM (IST), August 3rd
• Ratri Tritiya Prahar (Third Watch): 01:38 AM to 04:14 AM (IST), August 3rd
• Ratri Chaturthi Prahar (Fourth Watch): 04:14 AM to 06:51 AM (IST), August 3rd

Shivratri Significance

Sawan Shivratri is considered especially auspicious because it combines the significance of both Sawan (Shravan) month and the festival of Shivratri. Here's why it holds special importance:

• Sawan: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this holy month is a time for devotees to strengthen their devotion and seek blessings.
• Shivratri: This night is considered particularly sacred for worshipping Lord Shiva. Devotees believe heightened spiritual energy prevails during this time.

Observances

Here are some of the ways devotees might celebrate Sawan Shivratri in 2024:

• Fasting: Many devotees observe a strict fast throughout the day or night.
• Puja and Abhishek: Devotees perform puja (prayers) and abhishek (pouring holy water) on the Shiva Linga.
• Chanting Mantras: Chanting sacred mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva, especially the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, is common.
• Temple Visits: Devotees visit Shiva temples to offer prayers and participate in special ceremonies.
• Kanwar Yatra: The annual pilgrimage to collect holy water from the Ganges might culminate on this day, with devotees offering the water to Lord Shiva.

Sawan 2024 Fasting Rules: Dos and Don’ts

To get the blessings of Lord Shiva and Parvati, people on Mondays during Sawan, called “Sawan Somwar” fast. Here are some dos and don’ts to follow:

Dos:

• Wake up early in the morning.
• Clean your puja room every day.
• Visit a temple and perform abhishekam for Lord Shiva using water, milk, sugar, ghee, curd and honey (Panchamrit).
• Practice celibacy during Sawan.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids as it is summer.
• Eat nutritious foods like nuts and fruits to ensure a balanced diet.
• Cook sattvic food with rock salt instead of table salt.

Don’ts:

• Avoid eating meat, eggs, garlic and onions.
• Do not drink alcohol during this month.
• Avoid drinking milk during Sawan.
• Avoid packaged juices with preservatives and flavour enhancers. Drink freshly prepared juices.

Conclusion

During the month of Sawan, devotees of Lord Shiva observe a fast every Monday to seek his blessings. In this month, devotees, especially married women praying for marital bliss and unmarried women seeking a suitable partner, maintain this tradition.

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