SHRAVANA SOMAVARA

By Nanditā Mādhav with inputs from Chitrāpur AI Assistant

The sacred month of Shrāvaṇa holds profound significance for us Chitrāpur Sāraswat-s. At Shrī Chitrāpur Mat̲h̲, where Lord Bhavānīshaṅkar presides as the Ārādhya Devatā, Shrāvaṇa Somavāra (Mondays in the month of Shrāvaṇa) are observed with special reverence through ceremonies that unite spiritual practice with community worship.

Shrāvaṇa Māsa (month) is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the popular legend of Samudra Manthana explains why. According to our Purāṇa-s, the Devatā-s and Asura-s churned the ocean to obtain Amṛta, the nectar of immortality. During this process, many divine objects emerged, including a deadly poison called Halāhala, which had the power to destroy the entire universe. To avert this catastrophe, Lord Shiva swallowed the deadly poison, while his consort Devī Pārvatī held His throat to prevent the poison from going down. As a result, the poison remained in His throat, turning it blue (hence Lord Shiva is also known as ‘Nīlakaṇt͟ha’ - the one with the blue throat.) It is believed that this event took place in the month of Shrāvaṇa. Devotees offer Abhis͟heka to the Shiva Liṅgam during Shrāvaṇa   -especially on Mondays - to help soothe the burning sensation caused by the poison. This story symbolizes Lord Shiva’s immense compassion and His willingness to sacrifice Himself for the well-being of the Universe. It also reinforces the belief that sincere devotion, especially during Shrāvaṇa   Somavāra, pleases Lord Shiva.


Shrāvaṇa   Somavāra: A Sacred Tradition at Shrī Chitrāpur Mat̲h̲

Shrāvaṇa   Somavāra, or the Mondays during the month of Shrāvaṇa, hold special significance at Shrī Chitrāpur Mat̲h̲. Lord Bhavānīshaṅkar is the Ᾱrādhya Devatā (Presiding Deity) of our Mat̲h̲, our Guruparamparā and the Chitrāpur Sāraswat Samāja and is offered special pūjā-s on all Mondays of Shrāvaṇa māsa. This sacred observance falls within the broader Chāturmāsa period, which is considered especially auspicious for spiritual pursuits to intensify ones sādhanā. The rituals, especially in the Samādhi Shrines of the Mat̲h̲’s Pūrvāchārya-s on Mondays of the Shrāvaṇa māsa, reinforce the sacred bond with the Guruparamparā, making it a vital part of the Chitrāpur Sāraswat tradition. Lord Bhavānīshaṅkar was installed by our Ādi Guru H.H. Shrīmat Parijñānāshram Swāmījī I in 1708 AD as the Ārādhya Devatā main deity for worship of our Sāraswat Samāja.

1.    Special Religious Ceremonies:

Shrāvaṇa Somavāra at Shrī Chitrāpur Mat̲h̲ features:

Special viniyoga-s 
Pañchāmṛta Abhisheka-s (offerings with five sacred ingredients) 
Bilva Samarpaṇa (offering of bilva leaves)
Ekādasha Rudra recitations 

Viniyoga-s are special religious offerings and rituals performed at various shrines. The daily viniyoga-s include naivedya (food offerings), āratī, and mantrapushpāñjali ghos͟ha by the vaidika-s. Special viniyoga-s - include Ekādasha Rudra, Pañchāmṛta Abhis͟heka-s and Bilva Samarpaṇa. These rituals are conducted with great solemnity, devotion and adherence to traditional practices.

 

2. Sannidhi Pūjana-s during Shrāvaṇa Māsa : 

  • A unique aspect of the observance is the systematic performance of special pūjā-s in the Samādhi Shrines of the Mat̲h̲'s Pūrvācharya-s according to a specific schedule. His Holiness performs mid-day pūjā at each Samādhi on Mondays of the Shrāvaṇa māsa when H.H. Swāmījī observes Chāturmāsa in Shirālī
  • Shrāvaṇa Shukla Tṛtīyā : At H.H. Shrīmad Ānandāshram Swāmījī's Samādhi, which is the tithi of HIS attaining Samādhi. 
  • First Monday: At H.H. Shrīmat Shaṅkarāshram Swāmījī’s Samādhi
  • Second Monday: At H.H. Shrīmat Parijñānāshram Swāmījī II's Samādhi 
  • Third Monday: At H.H. Shrīmat Keshavāshram Swāmījī's Samādhi 
  • Fourth Monday: At H.H. Shrīmat Kris͟hṇāshram Swāmījī's Samādhi 
  • Amāvāsyā:  In case a month of Shrāvaṇa has five Mondays, pūjā-s are offered at H.H. Shrīmat Pāṇḍuraṅgāshram Swāmījī’s Samadhi on the Last Monday instead of Amāvāsyā
  • Second Friday of Shrāvaṇa month is for observing Varamahālakshmī Vrata, hence H.H. Swāmījī performs pūjā at Shrīvallī Bhuvaneshwarī Devī Sannidhi
  • On Shrāvaṇa Shukla Chaturthī, H.H. Swāmījī performs pūjā at Shrī Gaṇapati Sannidhi 
  • Shrāvaṇa Shukla - 2nd Guruvāra (2nd Thursday in the Shrāvaṇa māsa) H.H. Swāmījī offers pūjā at the Ādi Shaṅkarāchārya Sannidhi
  • Shrāvaṇa Kṛs͟hṇa Chaturthī is the day for observing the Samārādhanā of H.H. Shrīmat Parijñānāshram Swāmījī III, and H.H. Swāmījī offers pūjā at the Shrī Guru Pādukā Sannidhi.

 

3. Community Participation

One of the most significant aspects of Shrāvaṇa Somavāra at the Mat̲h̲ is the Anna Santarpaṇa.  It is conducted along with special viniyoga-s and all the assembled devotees are offered Prasāda Bhojana. This practice embodies the spirit of community worship and of sharing that is central to the Mat̲h̲’s tradition and ranks in importance along with other Sevā-s like Abhisheka-s, Archanā-s, Japa-s, Pārāyaṇa-s, and Homa-s. The tradition of offering food as a part of religious observances has historical significance too. Feeding of devotees, particularly Brahmaṇa – Suvāsinī (couples), is an important aspect of Somavāra Vrata from a long time. 

 

4. Spiritual Significance

The month of Shrāvaṇa   and Shrāvaṇa Somavāra is traditionally regarded as one of the most sacred times for fasting and spiritual practice, along with other important days like Ekādashī, Amāvāsyā, and Pūrṇimā. It is seen as a period of spiritual renewal and reinforcement.  Devotees are encouraged to deepen their spiritual efforts through:

Intensifying mantrajapa
Starting with small but steady saṅkalpa-s and being consistent 
Strengthening saṅkalpa shakti
Giving up certain food / practices
Participating in satsaṅga-s 

At Shrī Chitrāpur Mat̲h̲, Shrāvaṇa  Māsa observances extend over several days and weeks, creating an atmosphere of sustained spiritual focus.  Shrāvaṇa Somavāra is often the chosen day by some to commence/conclude the Mahārudra, which brings together entire families.  The Mahārudra is one of the most sacred and powerful of all Yajña-s and it’s central purpose is to please Lord Shiva (specifically in his fierce form as Rudra) and invoke His divine blessings. The Yajña involves the extensive chanting of the Shrī Rudram that praises Lord Shiva's various names and attributes. 

Shrī Chitrāpur Mat̲h̲ follows the tradition of Panchāyatana Pūjā as laid down by Ādi Shaṅkarāchārya, showing equal reverence to all Gods while maintaining Lord Bhavānīshaṅkar as the community's principal deity. Shrāvaṇa Somavāra-s represent a spiritually uplifting experience that encapsulate deep rooted tradition and Community participation. In the serene atmosphere of the Mat̲h̲, sanctified by Vedic hymns and pūjā-s, devotees find a sacred space to deepen their spiritual connection honouring Lord Bhavānīshaṅkar and our revered Guruparamparā.  The Pūjana-s, especially in the Samādhi Shrines of the Mat̲h̲’s Pūrvāchārya-s, reinforce the sacred bond with the Guruparamparā, making it a vital part of the Chitrāpur Sāraswat tradition.