This Sawan Shivratri, offer Bhoga to Lord Shiva and unlock the doors of your fortune. Read the religious importance and auspicious Muhurat to commemorate this festival!!
As per the Hindu calendar, Shivratri is a monthly festival, and celebrated a day before Purnima, which falls on Trayodashi Tithi. Of all the Shivratris celebrated by the followers of Hinduism, two are given the most religious significance. The important Shivratri is Phalgun Trayodashi, which is also popularly known as Mahashivratri. The second one has more eminence in Hinduism. The festival is primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and on this very day, devotees offer reverence to Mahadev while performing the Abhishek of Shivalinga with Ganga Jal.
Shiv Teras (Masik Shivratri)
As per the Hindu Panchang, the thirteenth date of every month is known as Trayodashi (in Sanskrit). The same Panchang suggests that every month consists of two Pakshas, which are Krishna and Shukla respectively. Thus, Trayodashi falls twice in a month’s time, out of which the Trayodashi during Krishna Paksha’s thirteenth day is most dear to Lord Shiva. Since it is endeared by the Lord, this date or Tithi is associated with Mahadev since the mythical period, due to which it is called Shiv Teras or the monthly Shivratri.
Importance of Sawan Shivratri
The festival of Shivratri falling in the month of Shravan (July-Aug) every year is also known as Kanwar Yatra Samapan Diwas (the day of concluding the Kanwar Yatra). On this day, the devotees of Shiva collect the holy water of Ganga from pious places like Haridwar, Gaumukh or Gangotri, Ganga river of Sultanganj, Kashi Vishwanath, Baidyanath, Nilkanth and Deogarh and other religious stations. The Ganga Jal is then congregated in a Kanwar and used to perform the Abhishek of Lord Shiva in the colloquial temples of the devotees.
According to religious traditions and considerations, the month of Sawan is quite special and close to Bholenath. The Shivratri celebrated during this month is the essence and also the primary sources of positive energy. Thus it is believed that performing the Abhishek of Lord Shiva or offering water to the Shivalinga helps the devotees to get rid of sins and attain the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Auspicious Muhurat of Sawan Shivratri
According to the Hindu Panchang, Sawan Shivratri is celebrated today, i.e. 30 July, 2019. On this particular day i.e. Tuesday, the auspicious Muhurat to commence the Shiv Puja begins at 12:06 PM at noon today and will last till Wednesday, 31 July at 12:48 PM. However, natives can also conduct the Puja at a different time, since the entire day is considered to be extremely pious. As per the Shastras or the religious scriptures, the festival of Shivratri washes away every sin and heinous deed of us humans. Lord Shiva himself eradicates the sins of those natives who devotedly worship him and observe fasts on this day. Other than this, unmarried natives also get blessed with the partner of their dreams by observing fasts on this day. At the same time, one’s conjugal life also attains bliss and prosperity.
Sawan Shivratri 2019 Puja Rites and Rituals
Lord Shiva is also known as Bholenath. He answers the prayer of any devotee who eulogizes him with a pure heart and mind. The rites followed to worship Bholenath are quite simple and with its help, any person can please Lord Shiva by worshiping him and conducting the general rites with pure devotion. Let us know the right way to venerate the Lord during Savan Shivratri.
- Wake up early in the morning during the day of Sawan Shivaratri and after bathing, purify your mind and body.
- Afterwards, worship Shiva at home or in the temple and also offer Panchamrit to Goddess Parvati and Nandi too.
- Shortly, holy water (which includes water, milk, curd, honey, ghee, sugar, perfume, sandalwood, saffron, cannabis) should be used with bel patra, honey, milk to perform the Abhishek of Lord Shiva while chanting " Om Namah Shivaya"/ॐ नमः शिवाय”.
- Chant the Shiv Chalisa and perform the Shiv Aarti.
- Keep in mind that the reverence of Lord Shiva must be done with a pure heart.
Offer Bhog To Lord Shiva While Opening The Fast
It is believed that the mighty Lord Shiva can be pleased very easily. Thus, he heartily accepts whatsoever is offered to him. However, before breaking the fast on the night of Savant Shivaratri, devotees should offer some special items to Bholenath. Let's know about them-
- Beliefs state that the Lord can be easily appeased by offering food items made of wheat.
- Devotees also believe that bhog made of Moong should be offered to Bholenath to attain prosperity.
- Unmarried natives can make an oblation with gram lentils (chana daal) so as to get the life partner of their dreams and tie the knot soon.
- There is also a tradition of offering sesame seeds or sesame oil to Lord Shiva. Religious beliefs state that after making such an oblation, both the sins of previous as well as current births get eradicated.
We hope to benefit you from this article of ours. May you observe the fasts of Sawan Somwar successfully and obtain the blessings of Lord Shiva. All the very best to you!
