Why Varalakshmi Vratam is observed in Shravan month? This is the question asked by a visitor. I have searched it in some scriptures. I got the answer, here it is. Shravan month is named after the Janm Nakshatra (birth star) of Lord Vishnu, Shravana Nakshatra. Shravan masam is the most favorite month for Lord Vishnu. Maha Laxmi, consort of Lord Vishnu, also worships Lord Vishnu during the month of Sawan.

Goddess Laxmi thought that during the month, which is auspicious to her husband, is the great time to worship her also. Her devotees also get blesses from her husband during the month, if they perform Vara Laxmi Puja in Shravan month.

Varalakshmi Vratham is the main Vratha in South Indian states – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is also performed in Maharashtra and Goa. In 2009, the date of Varalakshmi Vratham is July 31 in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Goa. In Kerala, the date of Varalakshmi Vratham in 2009 is August 7.  

When is Varalakshmi observed in 2009?

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.  

Shravana Masam puja or pooja procedure in Sawan month is very different yet auspicious than other months in Hinduism. As we know the importance and significance of Shravan month, Shravana masa Shukla Paksha is highly auspicious fortnight. During this period, each day or thithi a god is worshipped. Shaastras (Scriptures) described that in Sawan month Shukla paksh, on each day the particular God is worshipped. This puja procedure is called as Pavitrarovanotsav (Pavitrarovanotsavalu).

Pavitra or pavitram means grass blades (durva or garika or darbha). A thread is made with 108 durva (grass blades) and kept on the God and worshipped.

Before performing the puja with durva or grass blades, the thread which is made with durva is worshipped by reciting the sloka given below:

Samvatsarasya yagasya Pavithree karanaayabho !

Vishnu lokathwa nithradya thyagachcheha namostuthe !!

Merits and Benefits of Shravana masa Shukla paksha puja or Pavitrarovanotsav:

As all other rituals and pujas, the merits and benefits of Sawan maas shukla paksha puja or Pavitrarovanotsav include good wealth, psychological, spiritual and physical health and ability to solve any problem.

Sawan month, also called as Shravan Maas is one of the holy months in Hinduism. Shravana Masam is the first among the Chaturmas, the four holy months. Chaturmas Vrat starts from this month and ends in Kartik month.

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 is July 22, Wednesday and the ending date is August 20, Thursday in 2009.

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Jhulan Yatra or Jhulayan Jatra is the swing festival observed mainly in Puri. In Vrindavan Jhoola festival is celebrated on the final day of Jhulan Yatra. Jhulan Yatra starts on Pavitra Ekadasi (Sawan Shukla Paksha Ekadashi) and concludes on Sawan Purnima (full moon day in Sawan month). In 2009, Jhulan Yatra begins on July 31, Friday and ends on August 5, Wednesday.

In Vrindavan Bihariji Temple, Jhulan Yatra is celebrated for one day as Jhoola festival. During the festival of Jhulan Yatra or Jhoola, the idol of Lord Sri Krishna is kept in a decorated swing and is swung. Devotees celebrate the festival with singing bhajans, music and dance. In some Sri Krsihna temples, the idol of Goddess Radha is also swung along with the idol of Sri Krsihna.