Sawan Somvar 2023, also known as Shravan Somvar, is a significant observance in Hinduism that falls on Mondays during the Hindu month of Sawan (also called Shravan). This year, Sawan 2023 will begin on Tuesday, July 4, and end on Thursday, August 31.
During Sawan Somvar, devotees, particularly followers of Lord Shiva, observe fasting and engage in various religious practices to seek blessings and express their devotion. They visit Shiva temples and offer prayers, milk, water, bel leaves, and other traditional offerings to Lord Shiva’s lingam, which is a symbolic representation of Shiva.
Devotees also participate in the sacred ritual of Rudrabhishekam during Sawan Somvar. This ritual involves bathing the lingam with water, milk, yoghurt, honey, and ghee while chanting prayers and mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that observing fasting and performing these rituals can bring blessings, fulfill desires, and promote spiritual progress.
Many devotees also choose to wear rudraksha beads, which are considered sacred to Lord Shiva, during Sawan Somvar. Additionally, they may participate in satsangs (spiritual gatherings) and bhajan (devotional singing) sessions dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Sawan Somvar holds not only religious significance but also cultural and social importance. It is a time when people come together, offer support to one another, and engage in community activities such as organizing processions, cultural programs, and distributing food as a form of charity.
