As the month of Sawan approaches, people are spiritually motivated to welcome the blessings of Lord Shiva with various rituals and festivities. Also known as Shravan Maas, it is a sacred period starting from mid July to mid August. This fifth month of the solar year marks the beginning of the Chaturmas period (श्रावण,भाद्रपद,अश्विन और कार्तिक) and is a good time to engage in Tapasya, keeping fasts and being connected to the spiritual side of life.
You must be wondering, as to why fasting is an important tradition during Sawan? According to the ancient vedas and puranas, it is known that Maa Parvati from an early age wished to get married to Lord Shiva. Therefore, she engaged herself in a very hard and long penance (तपस्या) by keeping Vrats or Fasts. Seeing the true devotion of Parvati, Mahadeva fulfilled her wish and married her.
Types of Vrats During the Shravan Maas
Throughout the duration of Sawan, people keep fasts on particular days of the week to boost their self immunity and light the inner fire of Tapasya. It helps people to be spiritually closer to Lord Mahadeva. Devotees generally keep five types of Vrats which include the following.
- Sawan Somwar Vrat: This particular fast is observed every Monday (Somwar) during the time period of Shravan Maas. There are mostly four to five Monday’s during the Sawan. People who keep this Vrat are known to experience spiritual growth and find peace with the blessings of Lord Shiva.
- Solah Somwar Vrat: This fast is generally kept by young girls to find a good husband for a happy married life. Females fast for 16 consecutive Monday’s, starting from the very first Monday of the Sawan month.
- Pradosh Vrat: It is kept on the 13th day (Trayodashi tithi) of both Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha. The thirteenth day is considered special for worshipping Mahadeva, as on this day people perform Shiv puja during the Pradosh Kaal. It helps maintain good health and removes all kinds of diseases.
- Mangala Gauri Vrat: This fast is generally observed on Tuesday’s and is kept for a happily married life along with the well being and long life of the partner.
- Shani Vrat: It is kept on Saturday’s during the Shrawan Maas to seek the divine blessings of Lord Shani and remove the negative effects of Saturn (शनि ग्रह) in one’s horoscope.
Importance of Shravan Falahari Vrat
Fasting during the auspicious time of Sawan not only has a spiritual impact, but is also a bonus for the human body. With the blessings of the powerful Mahadev, fasting helps you to practise self discipline towards cravings. It gives your body a break from all the unhealthy eating habits and is effective in getting rid of the toxins and feeling a positive energy in the body. Along with a smoother digestive system and a stabilised blood sugar level, fasting has a good impact on managing weight by having control on the calories. It may speed up your bodily metabolism system and help reach a stage to autophagy, which is the repair to dead cells in the body. Ultimately fasts are a gateway to achieve peace and mental clarity along with keeping physical and spiritual well being.
As keeping fasts has great religious importance in the month of Sawan, some keep fasts for the entire month, some keep only on Monday’s, however, some break it right after sunset. Hence Vrat is not a compulsion, but if one is opting to keep a fast, it must be performed and fulfilled with complete spiritual devotion.
