2016 shravana (sawan) shivratri 2016, August 2016 2016 Shravana Sawan Shivratri Date Time
2016 shravana (sawan) shivratri 2016, August 2016 2016 Shravana Sawan Shivratri Date Time
According to Hindu Mythology, Shravana month is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered as a highly auspicious month. During this month, people perform prayers in reverence to Shiva.
Shivaratri falls while Shravana month is known as Sawan Shivaratri or Shravana Shivratri.
In this month, a special pilgrimage that is famous as Kanvar Yatra or Kavad yatra takes place. In this yatra, devotes of Shiva, known as Kanvarias, visit Hindu places such as Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri, Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch holy water of Ganges River.
Holy Ganga water taken from Sultanganj is poured on Baba Baidyanath at Devghar by Kanwariyas on the occasion of Shivaratri. Rest from other places Kanwaris take to their home and pour the holy Ganga water to the Shiva Lingam in their local temple on the occasion Shiv Ratri.
It is more popular in Northern, western and central states of India such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar where Purnimant Lunar Calendar is followed. In Sothern state of India such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu where Amavasyant Lunar Calendar is followed Shravana Shivaratri is celebrated in the Ashadha month.
Legend of Shravana Shivratri
According to the Hindu Mythology, demon and Gods decided to churn the ocean. While churning the ocean, many products came out. One of them was poison. Gods and demons were scared that it would ruin the whole world. Shiva came and saved the world from the disastrous effects of a poison by drinking it. Parvati holds his neck so that it didn’t go down his throat. His neck turned blue due to the effect of the poison on his throat and is also known as Neela Kantha or The Blue Throated. Since then people celebrate Shravana Shivratri
How to observe fast?
One day prior to Shravana Shivaratri fast, devotees eat their meal only once in the whole day. On Shivaratri day, after finishing morning rituals devotees promise in front of the idol of Shiva that they keep fast for the whole day and break it on the next day. During promise, devotees vouch for self-determination throughout the fasting period and seek blessing of Lord Shiva to complete their fast without any interference.
On Shivaratri day, devotees should take a bath for the second time in the evening before offering prayers to or visiting temple. Shiva Puja should be done during night and devotees should break the fast next day after taking a bath.
