The Hindu Month of Shravan begins from July, and is mainly celebrated in North India. This month is observed as month of Lord Shiva. People perform Puja and women observe fast on every Monday.

In Shravan pilgrims go on “KANWAR” journey to Devghar Shiva’s temples. This journey is basically completed by walking to the temples. The most popular destinations are Sultanganj (BIHAR) to Deoghar (JHARKHAND). The devotees carry holy water from river Ganga, which hangs on their shoulders with the help of wooden lathis called ‘’ KANWAR”.

According to priest Vishnu Prasad, fasts observed on Monday in this month ensure ‘good prospective husbands’ for unmarried girls and ‘good health’ for husbands of married women. It is believed Parvati observed fast for the entire month of Shravan to impress lord Shiva after which he married her. During these fast devotees fast for the entire day, worship lord Shiva, offering water (jalabhishek) sandal paste, dhatura(flower and fruits of a poisonous flowering plant) ,belpatra as rituals.

There are series of festivals that occurs during this month of Shravan.

Madhu Shravani

This is one of main festivals of Mithilanchal (BIHAR) that celebrates the marital bond. Women observe fast for 15days starting from Naag Panchami. They abstain from salt during the period. They worship Godddess  Gaauri. The devotees pray for getting the same husbands for seven lives. Women also dress up for the occasion and wear new clothes and new bangles.

Haryali Teej

The Hindu festival of teej is marked by fasting of women who pray to lord Shiva and goddess Parvati, seeking their blessings for martial bliss. Married women celebrate this festival on the Tritiya of Shukla Paksha.

Supriya Das says Teej is celebrated to mark the victory of a wife’s love and devotion towards her husbands. Young girls and married women apply mehendi, wear new Sari and adorn themselves with jewelry then visit temple for special prayers to goddness Parvati.

Teej exemplifies the sacrifice of a wife to win the mind and heart of her husbands.

This season ends with the celebration of the beautiful bond and love of brothers and sisters, “Raksha Bandhan” means ‘the tie or knot of Protection’.

Megha , Kurji resident says “it is a symbolic reminder of its spiritual significance, a divine vow of purity to live a life of noble thoughts its biggest significance is that, on this day a brother makes a promise to protect his sisters and he is bound to defend her honour even at expense of his own life.”

The month of Shravan celebrates the bond and love of human relations.

Nihal Kumar Dutta

Newsnet Intern

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