Shravan month in 2009 begins on July 22, Wednesday as per reputed Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka panchangs and ends on August 20, Thursday. Telugu and Kannada people observe Shravan Masa Vratam during the month. Various Vratas dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Goddess Laxmi and Lord Shiva are observed during the month in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

In 2009, as per Telugu and Kannada calendars, Shravan Shukla Paksha begins on July 22 and ends on August 6, Thursday, on the Shravan Purnima day. Shravana Krishna Paksha starts on August 7, Friday and ends on August 20, Thursday, on the Shravan Amavasya day.

During the Shravana masam, Hindu communities in Telugu and Kannada regions observe Varalakshmi Vratam, Shravana Mangala Gauri Vratam and Shravan Somvar Vrata. In 2009, the date of Vara Laxmi Vratam is July 31, Friday. Mangala Gauri Vratam is observed on Mangalvar (Tuesdays) during Shravan masam. Shravan Somvar Vrata is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

In Shravan month, Nagula Panchami or Nag Panchami, Rakhi Purnima Festival or Raksha Bandhan and Sri Krishna Janmashtami are other popular festivals celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

On the first Friday during Shravan month, Telugu and Kannada people observe Sampada Gauri Vratham. Sampada Gouri Vratha is different from Vara Laxmi Vratha. 

Sawan Somvar Vrat or Shravan somvar vrat is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The dates of Sawan Somvar Vrat in 2009. Devout Hindus perform Shiva puja during the somvars (Mondays) in Shravan month. During the Vrat, devotees or the performers keep fasting. In North India, Sawan Somvar Shiva puja is of great significane. In South India also Shiva puja is performed during Mondays in Shravan month, but South Indian people consider Kartik Somvar Vrat as more auspicious than Shravan Somvar.

Sawan Somvar Shiva Puja in North Indian States:

Devout Hindus in North India perform ritual bath in holy rivers. Men or women collect water from River Ganga and perform ‘Abhishek’ to Shivling. For Shiva Puja, they also use Bilva patra (bilva leaves). After the Abhisheka, Shivling is offered fruits or special recipes. Devotees take meal or fruits after the puja. Some people observe fasting during the Somvar Vrat.

In Varanasi, Allahabad and Hrishikesh Somvar Vrat is observed by large number of devotees every year. Shravan Somvar vrat has great significance in Shrabani Mela held at Deoghar Bhaidyanath Temple, popularly known as Baba Dham.

Shravan Somvar Shiva Pooja in South Indian States:

In South Indian states – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala, devotees observe fasting in day time and observe puja at home. In the evening, devotees visit Lord Shiva temple and light deepam to Shiva. After lighting the diya, devotees take meal or fruits.

In Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple at Srisailam, Rameshawaram Shiva temple, Sri Kalahasti Shiva temple, Vemulawada Rajarajeshwara Swamy Temple, Mukteshwara Swamy Temple at Kaleshwaram, Dharmasthali Shiva Temple, Panchabhoota Linga Temples, some special are performed during the Shravan Somvar.

Shravan Masa Vratam – Rituals and Pujas to perform during Shravan month  

Mangala Gauri Puja or Mangal Gowri Vrata is observed on Shravan Mangalvars (Tuesdays during Shravan month). Mangala Gauri Vrat is dedicated to Goddess Mangala Gauri, who is popularly known as Goddess Parvati Devi. In 2009, as per North Indian calendars, the days to perform Mangal Gowri Puja are – July 14, July 21, July 28 and August 4. As per Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat calendars Shravana Mangala Gouri Vrat falls on – July 28, August 4, August 11 and August 18.

Mangala Gouri Vrat is observed by married women for the good health and long life of the husaband. There is a popular belief that performing Shravana Mangala Gauri vrata or worshipping Mangala Gowri on Shravan Mangalwar gives a woman a prosperous married life and happiness in every aspect of her life. They will be blessed with wealth and good children.

Mangala Gauri Vratam is observed by married women for first five years after their marriage and the final year puja is concluded with Shravana Mangala Gouri Vrata Udhyapana.

Gauri Devi Alankar – Decorating Gowri Idol:

On the day of Mangal Gouri vrata, married women sanctify puja rooms and a Gouri Devi idol is made with coconut and decorated with bangles, silk saree, gold or silver ornaments, kumkum and turmeric. This is called ‘Mangala Gauri Alankar’. Making of Gauri idol is differed in place to place. In some regions, a face of Gauri devi is made with panchalohas or with silver.

Sawan Somvar Vrat or Shravan Somvar Vrata is an observance dedicated to Lord Shiva during the month of Shravan (July – August). In 2009, days to observe Sawan Somvar Vrata are – July 13, July 20, July 27 and August 3 as per North Indian calendar. As per Andhra Pradesh, Karnatka, Gujarat and Maharashtra calendars, dates to observe Shravana Somvara Vratam are – July 27, August 3, August 10 and August 17.

Sawan Somvar Vrat is observed mainly in North Indian states. It is also observed in some regions of South India. In South Indian states, people worship Shiva on Karthik Somvar instead Shravan Somvar. Karthik Somvar Vrata is also highly meritorious.

Sawan Somvar Vrat – Importance and Significance of Shiva Pooja on Shrawan Somvar:

Though Shravan maas is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, on Shravan somvar (Mondays in Sawan mahina) Lord Shiva is worshipped. Sawan month is auspicious and the Somvar in the Shravan maas are dedicated to Lord Shiva because during this month Shiva drank Haala hal and became Neelkant.

At the time of Samudra manthan (churning of milk ocean), haala hal came out of the ocean and shook the universe. To protect the universe, Lord Shiva drank the poison and kept it at her throat. Since then Lord Shiva’s throat appeared blue. Usually, Somvar is the favorite day for Lord Shiva and Shravan Somvar is considered as highly auspicious because of the holiness of the Shravan month.

Sawan Somvar Vrat is observed by married women for happy marital bliss and her family’s wellness. Unmarried women perform Shrawan maas somvar vrat to get good life partner. Men also worship Shrawan Somvar vrat for their academic, professional success. In some regions, devotees also worship Goddess Parvati Devi, Lord Ganesh and Lord Karthik along with Shiva during Shrawan Somvar vrat.

Shravan Shukla Paksha or Sukla Paksh in Sawan month is very auspicious fortnight. During the Shukla paksha in Sawan month, each day is dedicated to a God. On these thithis or days, the particular God is worshipped with special pujas including Pavitrarovanotsav.

Here is the list of thithis and the Gods worshipped on each day.

Padyami or Prathami – Lord Brahma

Vidiya or Dwitiya – Shriyam Pathi

Thadiya or Tritiya or Thrutiya – Goddess Parvati Devi

Chavithi or Chaturthi – Lord Ganesh

Panchami – Shashi Devi

Sashti or Shashti – Naga Devatas or Serpent Gods

Saptami – Sun or Surya Bhagavan

Ashtami – Goddess Durga Devi

Navami – Mathru Devatas

Dasami – Dharmaraj (Yudhistir)

Ekadasi – Maharshis or Rushis (Sages)

Dwadasi – Lord Sri Maha Vishnu

Trayodasi – Ananga

Chaturdashi – Lord Shiva

Purnima (Pournami) – Pithru Devatas

In 2009, Shravan Shukla Paksh begins on July 22, Wednesday and ends on August 6, Thursday. Sawan mahina begins on July 8, Wednesday and ends on August 6, Thursday as per the North Indian calendars. As per the Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra calendars, the date of Shravana masam’s beginning date is July 22, Wednesday and the ending date is August 20, Thursday in 2009.

Sawan Somvar, Sawan Mangalvar, Sawan Shukravar and Sawan Shanivar are auspicious days in Shravan month.

Worshipping and performing pujas to the particular God on each day during Shukla paksha in Sawan month is highly meritorious. Performing Pavitrarovanotsav during the puja is auspicious. As all other pujas, merits and benefits include good wealth, psychological, spiritual and physical health.