Sawan Shivratri 2023 Date in India: Sawan, the holiest month in the Hindu calendar, is dedicated to the celebration of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is a time of great significance, as it encompasses numerous auspicious days. Among these, the most revered is Sawan Shivatri. This year, July 15 marks the sacred day of Sawan Shivatri, dedicated to fasting and seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva for his devotees. To honour Lord Rudra, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, devotees partake in the Maha Rudra-Abhishek Puja during the Sawan month. This puja is performed with the intention of attaining peace, prosperity, marital bliss, and good health. Additionally, on the Chaturdashi Tithi, devotees engage in Shiva Puja and Parana rituals. The renowned Shiva temples, such as Kashi Vishwanath and Badrinath, attract thousands of devotees during this time. These temples make special arrangements for the Sawan month and Sawan Shivaratri, where devotees participate in the sacred ritual of Gangajal Abhishekam. The states of Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh observe this holy day more fervently than others. This is because these states follow the Purnimant Lunar Calendar. On the other hand, the Ashahdha Shivatri (a parallel to Sawan Shivaratri) is followed by some other states where the Amavasyant Lunar Calendar is followed. These states are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Karnataka. For this event, observing vrat vidhi is very important. A day before the Sawan Shivatri, on Trayadoshi, devotees eat only once in a day. On Shivatri day, devotees hold a full day fast by taking sankalp, and eat only the following day. During the sankalp fast, devotees seek Lord Shiva’s blessings to complete the fast without challenges and pledge to be self-determined. On Shivaratri day, while fasting, devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva in the evening after taking a second bath. In order to get the most out of the fast, devotees are advised to break their fast the following morning prior to sunrise and before the end of Chaturdashi Tithi. Denoting the union of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva, Sawan Shivaratri is observed as a tribute to the fasts Goddess Parvati kept for husband post marriage on every moonless night. The festival signifies peace and prosperity that can result from a happy marital union. 📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don't miss out on the latest updates!
