Shravan is the most auspicious month in the Hindu calendar. It is the considered the holiest month of the year were devotees will fast for the whole month. This month consists of many auspicious religious days, festivals and ceremonies. The Shravan month is also dedicated to Lord Shiva. Each Monday if this month, known as Shravan somvar, is a special day in the mandirs. It is considered highly auspicious to wear a rudraksha in Shravan month. As, Mondays or Somvars of Shravan month are specially observed with fasting. All Mondays are devoted to the worship of Shiva as this day is sacred to Lord Shiva. The belief is that in Shravan month, offering milk to Lord Shiva earns a lot of punya.

Things to do during Shravan month:

Wear Rudraksh, and also use a Rudraksh mala for Japa.

Offer Lord Shiva Bhibhuti and place some on your forehead.

Make offering of Bel leaves, Panchamrut (milk, yoghurt, clarified butter, honey and jaggery) on Shiva Ling.

Recite Shiv Chalisa and Aarti.

Chant Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra.

Fasting on Mondays.

The Shree Pretoria Hindu Seva Samaj hosts a Shravan Bhajan Mela every Sunday mornings during the month of Shravan. Bhajans are held in the mandir from 10am to 12.30pm. Bhajan groups from Laudium and surrounding areas are invited to come and sing beautiful bhajans in praise of the Lord. Around 200 people attend. Everyone , especially the youth , are encouraged to please attend these functions.

Shiv Sahastranaam and Shiv puja is held in the mandir every Monday during the Shravan month.

Other big days in the month of Shravan are: Nag Pancham, Randhan Chath, Sitla Satam, Nori Naum and Bor Choth.

Important and auspicious days that come in the Holy month of Shravan:

RAKSHA BANDHAN

Raksha Bandhan is a special Hindu festival which is celebrated to symbolize the love between a brother and a sister. The occasion of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu calendar in the month of Shravan. The meaning of Raksha Bandhan is made up of two words, namely “Raksha” and “Bandhan”. As per a Sanskrit terminology, the occasion means “the tie or knot of protection” where “Raksha” stands for the protection and “bandhan” signifies the verb to tie. Together the festival symbolizes the eternal love of brother-sister relationship. On this day, a sister ties a rakhi around the wrist of her brother in order to pray for his prosperity, health and well-being. The brother in return offers gifts and promises to protect his sister from any harm.