Auspicious month of “Saawan” or “Shraavan” – Experience the Vedic Tours

Varanasi is the most ancient living city of the World. This city is full of prosperous culture and traditions which makes the city a “ Traditional & Cultural Capital of India”.

In this context, let’s talk about the auspicious month of “Saawan” or “Shraavan” which had a start yesterday itself i.e. on Monday. Lord Shiva is regarded as the ruler of Shraavan month because he saved the Universe by drinking the poison which emerged from the “Samudra Manthan” i.e. Churning of the Ocean. Samudra Manthan, one of the remarkable events in Hindu Mythology saw Devtas ( Gods ) and Asuras ( Demons ) involving in churning of the Ocean for Amrit ( Elixir or the heavenly nectar of immortality ), 14 ratnas ( gems ) emerged from the Ocean which were equally divided between the two competing sides. But the 14th gem was the poison which was sufficient enough to destroy the entire Universe and all living beings but Lord Shiva consumed the poison to save everyone and as a result his neck turned blue and he started being called “Neelkanth” since then. This iconic episode of Samudra Manthan took during the Shraavan month, making it the month of Lord Shiva.

Thousands of Hindu devotees thronged Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi right from midnight of Sunday to commemmorate the first Monday of Saawan or month of Monsoon according to Hindu Calendar. Devotees worship Lord Shiva and observe fast on Mondays during this month which is known as Saawan ka Somwaar ( Monday of Saawan month ).
Kaanwar Yatra is an yearly pilgrimage journey of Lord Shiva’s devotees that begin from Gangotri or Gomukh from where devotees collect holy water “ Ganga Jal” from the Ganges River and offer it to Lord Shiva in Kashi Vishwanath Temple and all other 13 “Jyotirlingas”. All the Kaanwariyas dressed up in saffron, holding beautifully decorated sticks carrying Ganga Jal hanging from it, adds to the serenity of the World heritage city. It is said that worshipping Lord Shiva during this month keeps the people blessed with wealth and prosperity.