New Delhi: The festival of Sawan or Shravan will begin on July 4 and continue till August 31. This year is extra special because of a rare occurrence after 19 years. Thus it will span 59 days, featuring eight Sawan Mondays instead of the usual four observed annually.
July 10 marks the first fasting Monday of the period this year while August 28 marks the last Monday fast.
In the Hindu calendar, 'Sawan' also known as 'Shravan' is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and is one of the holiest months of the year.
The unusual 59-day length makes this year extra auspicious. Reportedly, as per astrological calculations and the Hindu calendar, the Adhik Maas or Mal Maas has extended the length of the Sawan month this year, reports Dynamite News correspondent.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the festival of Shrawan holds great significance for Hindus. It is a time of spiritual devotion, fasting, and celebration for millions of Hindus across India and the world.
Every Monday during this period is regarded as a highly auspicious time to fast and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Additionally, Kanwar Yatra is a significant ritual during this period. People gather water from sacred rivers in little mud pots known as Kanwars. Devotees don saffron-coloured clothes while carrying the holy water and walk on foot to visit temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Devotees who are termed Kanwariyas visit places like Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand, and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch the holy water of River Ganga and then worship the God with that water.
