Shravan month is the second month in Chaturmas, four holy months. Shravan month is considered as most auspicious month for the Hindus in Goa and Konkan regions. People follow all the rules or codes of Shravan month and observe Shravan maas Vrata with utmost devotion. In 2009, in Goa and Konkan regions Shravan month starts from July 23, Thursday and ends on August 20, Thursday.

Festivals during Shravan Month:

 In Goa and Konkan regions, during Shravan month, Hindus celebrate Naga Panchami, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Narali Pournami and Rakhi Festival.

Shravan Masa Pujas – Vratas during Shravan Month:

 Shravan Somvar, Mondays during Shravan month, are dedicated to Lord Shiva. On Mondays in Shravan, Goa and Konkan Brahmins observe ‘Shiva Muth’. Shravan Mangalvar, Tuesdays during Shravan month, are dedicated to Goddess Gauri. On Tuesdays in Shravan, Mangala Gauri Vrata is observed. Shravan Guruvar, Thursdays during Shravan month, are dedicated to Lord Dattatreya. Dattatreya is worshipped during Shravan Guruvar.

Shravan Shukravar, Fridays during Shravan month, are dedicated to Goddess Laxmi. Vara Laxmi Puja or Shravan Shukravar Puja is observed during Shravan Shukravar. Shravan Shanivar, Saturdays during Shravan month, are dedicated Shani Bhagawan or Lord Venkateshwara.

 Pavitropana is the festival observed on Rakhi Purnima or Shravan Poornima in Gujarat. In 2009, the date of Pavitropana is August 5, Wednesday. On this day of Pavitropana, Lord Shiva is worshipped.

Pavitropana Puja – Importance of Shivling Puja on Pavitropana

On Pavitropana, Gujaratis worship Lord Shiva by performing Shivling Puja in near by temples or at home. Abhishek to Shivling is performed on Pavitropana by large number of devotees at local temples in Gujarat. They offer Ganga jal or normal water in Shivling Abhishek. Devotees recite prayers and Slokas of Lord Shiva to seek his blessings. There is a popular belief that worshipping Lord Shiva on Pavitropana makes one free from all sins he/ she made in entire life.

Shravan Purnima or Shravana Pournami, the Poornima day in Shravan month (July – August), is one of the most auspicious days as per Hinduism. Many auspicious pujas and rituals are observed during Sravana Purnima. In 2010, the date of Sawan poornima is August 24, Tuesday.

On the day of Shravan Purnima, Raksha bandhan is celebrated as a fond commemoration of sacred relationship between sisters and brothers. This festival is also popular as Rakhi Pournami. On Shravan Pournami, Lord Hayagriva avatar was first appeared so the day is also observed as Hayagriva Jayanti or Hayagreeva Uthpatthi.

Shravan Pournami Pujas and rituals in South Indian States:

During Sravana Purnima, Upakarma (auspicious occasion in Brahmin sects) is performed in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala, in some parts of Orissa. In Tamilnadu and Kerala Upakarma ritual is known as Avani Avittam. In Andhra Pradesh, the ritual of changing scared thread (Jandhyam or Yagnopaveetham) is observed on Shravana Purnima, which is also known as Jandhyala Purnima or Jandyala Punnami. In Karnataka, this ritual is known as Upakarma.

Sravana Poornima Pujas and rituals in North Indian States:

Narali Purnima or Nariyal Purnima is observed on Shravana Poornima day in Maharashtra. This day is known as Akshar Purnima in the state of Gujarat. Pavitropana, a special ritual, is performed on Shravana Purnima in some Western Indian regions. In Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar, the day is known as Kajri Purnima or Kajari Poornima.

On the day of Shravan Purnima, Saptarshis or the seven divine saints are worshipped. Arundhathi is also worshipped during Shravana Poornima. Shravan Pournami is also called as Shravani or Sravani festival.

Yatra or fairs on Shravan Purnima:

Sawan Purnima is an auspicious occasion to conclude any yatras. On the Full moon day in Sawan month, Amarnath Yatra is concluded. Jhulan Yatra or Jhoola Festival or Jhulna Festival is also culminated on this day.

Supaudana Vrat or Supoudan Vrata, also spelt as Supodan Vrata,  is observed on Shravan Shukla Sashti or the sixth day during Shukla paksha in Shravan month. In 2009, the date of Supaudana Vrata is July 27, Monday. The vratha is observed on the next day of Nag Panchami. Supodan Vrata is dedicated to worship Lord Shiva.

During the Supoudan Puja, Lord Shiva puja is performed with Shodashopachars (16 types of pujas and rituals) and Ashtottharas. After the puja is done, pulses and rice are offered to Lord Shiva. On this day, the performers of the Vrata take pulses and rice as their food. They avoid eating other food items. The observance of Supoudan Shiva pooja provides health and wealth to the performers of Vratham.

Madhushravani Festival or Madhu Sravani Puja is a main festival observed in Bihar and some of the North Indian states. Madhushravani is celebrated in the month of Shravan (July – August) for consecutive 13 days and ends on Madhushrava Tritiya. In 2009, the Madhu shravani Puja begins on July 12, Sunday and ends on Madhusrava Tritiya, July 24, Friday. The last day of the festival is Madhushrava Tritiya which falls on July 24 in 2009.

Madhu Sravani Puja represents the arrival of monsoon season. Madhushravani pooja is observed by married women. During Madhushravani festival, women worship Naga devatas (Serpent Gods). Legends and stories related to Madhsravani festival are recited on the first day (Madhushrava Panchami) and the last day (Madhushrava Tritiya) of the puja.

During the Madhu shravana Panchami or Madhushrava Thritiya or during the whole puja days, brides are supposed to stay at their parent’s home. During the festival, special recipes are sent to bride’s home from bridegroom’s home. Bride is supposed to eat only the food offered from her mother-in-law’s house.

Madhushrava Panchami, the beginning day of Madhushravani festival, is celebrated as Nagara Panchami or Nag Panchami, Garuda Panchami, Manasa Devi Ashtanag Puja Mauna Panchami in other regions of India.