Savan, or Shravan Mās, is the fifth month of Vikram Samvat, celebrated in July – August of the Gregorian Calendar. It is a spiritually significant time dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is revered for consuming the deadly Halāhal poison to save humanity. The month is marked by monsoons, rejuvenating the earth and promoting agricultural activities as farmers plant paddy in waterlogged fields. Devotees engage in prayers, fasting, and rituals, especially on auspicious Mondays, flocking to sacred sites like the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. Sāvan embodies joy, devotion, and the bounty of nature, highlighting the interplay between spirituality and agriculture in Indian culture.
A lone inverted flower drenched with rainwater.
Photograph by Author
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Savan, or Shrāvan Mās, is the fifth month of Vikram Samvat, celebrated for its spiritual significance dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- The month marks the arrival of monsoons, vital for agriculture, especially the sowing of ‘Kharif’ crops like paddy.
- Devotees engage in rituals, especially on auspicious Mondays, visiting temples to honor Lord Shiva and performing prayers.
- The story of Lord Shiva drinking the poison ‘Halāhal’ teaches the importance of diligence and persistence in achieving results.
- Varanasi, known as Kashi, becomes a hub of devotion during Savan, with pilgrims performing sacred rituals at the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
Savan brings happiness
The arrival of Sāvan brings joy, happiness and exuberance. It knocks on the door of the Indian peninsula in June but reaches northern India by July (celebrated in July-August) in the Gregorian Calendar. (Wikipedia)
Auspicious Shravan month
Considered the most auspicious month in the Sanatan tradition, Sāvan or Shrāvan Mās (month of Shravan) is the fifth month of Vikram Samvat. Spiritually, this month is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is the God of Gods, Devadhi Dev. He is, therefore, also called Mahadev.
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Shiva: God of gods
Lord Shiva is benevolent and Compassionate. He gulped down deadly poison “Halāhal” which emerged as a result of the churning of the celestial sea of milk (“Ksheer Sāgar). The churning was conducted by demigods and devils.
Neelkanth
The deadly Halāhal poison was everyone’s concern, for it could not be left in the open. To save humanity from the deadly effects of poison, Lord Shiva offered to drink it. The poison was intense and hot in its effect. Lord Shiva also felt its severity. Lord Shiva stopped the poison in his neck, which became blue because of the severe poisonous nature of Halāhal. It is because of His blue nape that Lord Shiva came to be known as “Neelkanth”.
Goddess Parvati
Siva became restless because of the heat of the poison Halāhal. Goddess Parvati calmed Him down by pouring a large quantity of cold water on him. Shravan mās is considered His month.
Moral of the story
The story of churning tells us that to achieve the desired thing, one must “churn” with honesty and diligence. It does not necessarily yield the desired result, but persistence will ultimately lead to results, along with other benefits.
Savan and “Kharif” crops
The month of Sāvan is the season of rains. Monsoon is active and bringing respite from the scorching heat. Socked Earth wears a green stole. Eye-soothing verdure spreads all over to cover every part of the earth. The streams, ditches and ponds filled with pluvial waters become the breeding place of many animals, notably amphibians. It is the sowing season of “Kharif” crops that include paddy, corn, peanuts, soyabean, cotton and Sorghum. India is a rain-fed country, with agriculture being its main source of food and income.
Shravan month and the economy
The rainy season of Sāvan is important not only because of its religious importance, but it also has some economic reasons. Principally an agrarian society, Indian agriculture is mainly dependent on the Monsoon. The fertile Gangetic plains thrive on rainwater. Farmers start working in their fields, planting paddy in waterlogged fields.
Shravan: Month of devotion
In Sanatan tradition, Savan is auspicious. It is the month of devotion, prayer, oblation and fasting. Mondays falling in this month are especially auspicious. Mondays (Somvār) dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees visit Shiv temples to offer water, milk and floral oblation. The religious city of Varanasi becomes laden with deep religious fervour and devotion. People from all over India visit this city to offer their devotion to Shiva. The city is full of people.
City of Lord Shiva
Photograph by Author
Varanasi described in the scriptures as Kashi. According to a belief, it is the eternal city, situated on the trident of Lord Shiva. Visiting Kashi and offering holy water of the river Ganga to lord Shiva at the holy temple of Kashi Vishwanath is a must-do for a devotee in the month of Savan. Devotees take a long and arduous “Kaanwar Yaatra” in this month. Holding holy water in pots placed in baskets hanging from a bamboo yoke, devotees travel long distances on foot. It is this month which allows devotees to have a “darshan” of “Baba Barfani”, a naturally developed ice “Shiva Lingam” in a cave of Amarnath (Jammu and Kashmir).
Every season is good
It is difficult to grade seasons. Every season is great and important, as they play a vital role in moving the vast life-sustaining system. They break monotony, bring harmony and joy, besides being pivotal in feeding animals and humans alike with the bounties they offer.
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Changing seasons are an occasion to thank the Almighty for His endless bounties and blessings. O Almighty! I bow to thee. Be kind to us.
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