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How To Worship In Sawan or Shravan Month Hinduism - A Comprehensive Guide

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Comprehensive Guide to Worship During Sawan/Shravan Month in Hinduism

The month of Sawan (Shravan in Sanskrit) is considered one of the most auspicious months in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It typically falls between July and August and is seen as an excellent time to perform rituals, observe fasts, and engage in religious worship to seek blessings for prosperity, health, and overall well-being.

This guide covers the essential elements of performing Sawan Puja in an eco-friendly, spiritual, and simple manner, highlighting cleanliness, appropriate attire, required items, and the proper conclusion of the ritual.

Importance of Sawan Worship

  1. Spiritual Significance: Sawan is especially significant because of the cosmic alignment during this period. It is believed that the positive vibrations of the universe are in perfect harmony for offering prayers to Lord Shiva.
  2. Fasting and Prayers: Devotees observe fasts on Mondays (Somwar) during Sawan and perform special prayers to seek the grace of Lord Shiva for peace, prosperity, and liberation (moksha).
  3. Environmental Harmony: Traditionally, Sawan is also linked with the monsoon season, symbolizing renewal, fertility, and purification. Hence, the use of eco-friendly materials in worship is particularly relevant during this period.

Cleanliness and Purity

In Hinduism, physical and mental cleanliness is key to any worship:

  1. Personal Hygiene: Take a bath early in the morning, preferably using natural products like herbal soap, neem sticks, or sandalwood paste to purify the body. Wear clean, fresh clothes before beginning the puja.
  2. Sacred Space: Clean the puja area thoroughly using natural cleaning products like cow dung (for the floor) or organic disinfectants. Ensure the space is tidy and free from clutter.
  3. Eco-Friendly Materials: Avoid plastic or non-biodegradable items in puja. Use natural fibers, biodegradable products, and sustainable alternatives.

Timing of Sawan Puja

  • Best Time: The ideal time for Sawan puja is Brahma Muhurta (approximately 4:00 AM - 5:30 AM). This time is believed to be highly sacred for spiritual activities. If this is difficult, you can perform the puja during Pratahkal (early morning).
  • Shiva Abhishek Timing: Mondays are considered most auspicious for Sawan puja. Performing an Abhishek (ritual bathing of Shiva Linga) is highly recommended during these days.

Which Color Clothes to Wear During Sawan Puja

  1. White: White symbolizes purity and peace. It is often preferred by devotees during worship, especially for Monday fasts.
  2. Light Green: This is a calming and natural color that reflects the connection to the monsoon and nature.
  3. Avoid Black and Red: These colors are traditionally considered inauspicious for worship in most Hindu rituals.

Eco-Friendly Traditional Puja Items Required

For Sawan Puja, use natural, eco-friendly items:

  1. Shiva Linga (optional): A small Shiva Linga made from natural stones like Narmadeshwar, crystal, or clay.
  2. Bilva Leaves (Bel Patra): Considered the most sacred offering to Lord Shiva.
  3. Water for Abhishek: Use clean, filtered water in a copper vessel for Shiva Abhishek.
  4. Panchamrit: A mixture of milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and sugar.
  5. Flowers: Use seasonal flowers like lotus, marigold, or hibiscus, avoiding synthetic or dyed flowers.
  6. Natural Incense and Diyas: Use organic incense sticks and ghee-based clay lamps instead of electric or chemical-based ones.
  7. Fruits: Offer seasonal fruits like bananas, pomegranates, or coconut for prasad.
  8. Organic Camphor and Sandalwood Paste: For applying tilak and performing aarti.

Simple Steps to Perform Sawan Puja

  1. Preparation:

    • Clean the altar and place a Shiva Linga or a picture of Lord Shiva.
    • Arrange all the puja items: water, bilva leaves, flowers, incense, fruits, etc.

  2. Invocation (Dhyana and Sankalp):

    • Sit calmly in front of the altar.
    • Light a diya (lamp) and incense sticks.
    • Offer a small prayer, invoking Lord Shiva’s blessings, and take a sankalp (vow) for the puja.

  3. Abhishek (Bathing the Shiva Linga):

    • Gently pour water, followed by milk, honey, and Panchamrit over the Shiva Linga.
    • While performing Abhishek, chant the “Om Namah Shivaya” mantra.

  4. Offering Flowers and Bilva Leaves:

    • Offer bilva leaves, one by one, while reciting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra or Shiva Panchakshara Stotram.
    • You can also offer seasonal flowers like hibiscus and marigolds.

  5. Lighting Incense and Diyas:

    • Light an organic incense stick and a ghee lamp, making sure to use natural, non-toxic materials.

  6. Chanting Mantras:

    • Recite “Om Namah Shivaya” 108 times using a Rudraksha mala.
    • You can also chant “Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra” for health and protection:
      Om Tryambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat

  7. Offering Prasad:

    • Place the seasonal fruits, sweets like panjiri or kheer, and offer them to Lord Shiva.

  8. Aarti (Concluding Worship):

    • Perform the aarti using an organic camphor flame and sing the Shiva Aarti.
    • Rotate the diya three times clockwise in front of the deity.

Prasad to Be Prepared

  • Simple Offerings: You can prepare eco-friendly prasad such as:
    • Panjiri made from roasted wheat flour, ghee, and sugar.
    • Kheer (a traditional Indian rice pudding).
    • Seasonal fruits like bananas, coconut, or pomegranates.

Make sure to prepare prasad using organic ingredients, and avoid food wastage by preparing small portions.

Mantras and Prayers

  1. Om Namah Shivaya: This is the basic and most revered mantra for Lord Shiva.
  2. Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra: Chanted for health, well-being, and protection from dangers.
  3. Shiva Gayatri Mantra:
    Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe
Mahadevaya Dhimahi
Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat

How to Conclude the Puja

  1. Prarthana: Conclude the puja by offering your final prayers, seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva.
  2. Vandana: Bow down or perform the Shashtang Pranam (complete prostration) as a mark of reverence.
  3. Distribution of Prasad: Distribute the prasad to your family members or neighbors, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
  4. Donation: It’s traditional to give alms or donations during Sawan, using eco-friendly materials such as cotton clothes, food grains, or organic products.

What to Do with Puja Leftover Items (Eco-Friendly Disposal)

  1. Water from Abhishek: You can pour the sacred water into plants or a nearby clean body of water.
  2. Bilva Leaves and Flowers: Compost the used leaves and flowers in your garden. These items are biodegradable and can enrich the soil.
  3. Prasad Leftovers: Ensure the prasad is consumed without waste. If any food remains, it should be distributed to the needy or fed to animals.
  4. Incense Ash: The ash from incense and camphor can be sprinkled on plants or kept in a sacred spot.

Benefits of Sawan Puja

  • Spiritual Upliftment: Regular worship during Sawan is believed to cleanse the soul, calm the mind, and bring spiritual enlightenment.
  • Health and Longevity: Chanting of mantras and offering prayers to Lord Shiva can bring health, strength, and longevity.
  • Prosperity and Peace: It is believed that worshiping Lord Shiva brings prosperity, peace, and happiness to one’s household.

By adhering to eco-friendly practices and focusing on a spiritual connection with nature and divinity, your Sawan worship can be both rewarding and environmentally sustainable.