Hindu devotees from all walks of life gathered on the banks of a river in Varanasi and near a temple in Ujjain early on Monday to observe the holy festival of "Somvar Swan", which is dedicated and held in honour of Lord Shiva, the God of Destruction and one of the holy trinity.
Prayers and offerings are being made by them on the last Monday of the holy month of "Sawan". In Ujjain, devotees gathered at the Mahakaleshwar Temple, while in Varanasi, they gathered on the banks of the River Ganga.
The whole Savan month is considered as highly auspicious, since every day of the month Savan holds a special significance. The whole month receives the blessings of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna, besides other gods.
It is believed that results are auspicious for all devotees who worship Lord Shiva during the holy month of Savan.
On the occasion of Somvar Savan, devotees undertake a special fast and perform prayers to please Lord Shiva.
Vedic texts say that observing a fast for 16 Mondays during the month of Savan every year is considered highly auspicious and reciting the Solah Somvar Vrat Katha is particularly auspicious for women.
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The Savan Somvar Vrat consists of three categories-Savan Somvar : Fast of monday only in the month of Savan; Solah Somvar : Beginning the fast of Solah (sixteen) Somvars, in the month of Savan and Somya Pradosh, a fast observed till the evening during Pradosham
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are the two main deities worshiped during the month of Savan. Devotees offer their favorite offerings such as Bel Patra, Datura, rose or marigold flowers and much more.
Every devotee has to keep certain points in mind while performing the fast for Sawan Somvars to get the maximum benefit of the Sawan Somvar Vrat.
.Get up early in the morning and perform all the morning rituals like bathing, wearing clean clothes, etc.
. Go to the nearest temple and bathe the Shiva Lingam with water, milk, or the mix of both.
Clean the Puja Sthana (place to perform Puja) at home, establish the idol or picture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Take the Sankalp (pledge) that you will perform all Somvar Vrats with full faith and devotion. .
Take the name of Lord Shiva and perform meditation
In the evening, take bath or clean your hands and feet properly for performing prayers again.
Clean the prayer venue and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
Recite or listen to Somvar Vrat Katha, otherwise the fast is considered incomplete.
Recite the Aarti with other family members or devotees.
Distribute sacred food among all the devotees or family members.
Devotees can then consume the food for fast, which is known as Satvik Khana.
The legend of Savan is related to Lord Shiva. During the period of the Samudra Manthan or the churning of the ocean, a lot of things came out which were equally distributed among the gods and demons.
Some undesirable items also came out from the Manthan, which were not accepted by either the gods or the demons such as poison. The whole world could have been finished at that point of time, but Lord Shiva consumed the poison and stored it in his throat. Due to this reason, the color of his neck turned blue and he was given the name Neelkantha, the god with the blue throat.