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Twelve months have their own importance in Hindu religion, but the month of ‘Shravan’ or Sawan is no less than a festival for the devotees of Lord Shiva. The chants of Mahadev everywhere and the crowd gathering in Shiva temples show that this month is the best time for Shiva devotion. But have you ever wondered why Lord Shiva loves only Sawan so much? Why instead of months like Chaitra, Vaishakh or Ashadha, special blessings of Mahadev are showered in this month? Mahadev himself has given the answer to this in the Shravanmas Mahatmaya of ‘Skanda Purana’.
Verse of Skanda Purana and speech of Mahadev
Lord Shiva himself has said in Skanda Purana: “Dwadshasvapi Maaseshu Shravano Meitivallabh. Tatraiva Sarvatha Pooja Karya in Shravan month.” That is, the month of Shravan is very dear to me in twelve months, hence I must be worshiped in this month. According to the scriptures, this month is most fruitful for the worship of Lord Shiva, because during this period Mahadev himself visits the earth for the functioning and welfare of the creation.
The story related to the harsh penance of Mother Parvati
According to mythology, when Sati sacrificed her body after being humiliated in her father’s yagya, she took a vow that she would have Mahadev as her husband in every birth. In her next birth, Mother Parvati was born in the house of King Himachal and to get Mahadev as her husband, she performed severe penance by giving up food and water and remaining fasting in the month of Sawan. Seeing this unique love and determination of Mother Parvati, Mahadev accepted her. It is believed that since then the month of Saavan has become very dear and a symbol of love for Mahadev.
When Mahadev comes to earth
In the month of Sawan, Lord Shiva visits his in-laws i.e. the earth world. It is said that during this time they are welcomed with Arghya and Jalabhishek. Devotees believe that during Sawan, Mahadev leaves his world ‘Kailash’ and resides among the devotees, that is why water anointment done in this month gives millions of times more results.
Victory festival of Markandeya Rishi and untimely death
The story of Rishi Markandeya is also very important behind the specialness of the month of Sawan. Markandeya, son of Sage Markandeya, performed rigorous penance for Lord Shiva in the month of Sawan itself. By the grace of Mahadev, he not only got a long life but also got the power of the ‘Mahamrityunjaya Mantra’, before which even Yamraj had bowed down. Since then it is believed that the shadow of untimely death does not loom over the person who takes refuge in Lord Shiva in Saavan.