If one worships him for as long as the soul shines in the body the troubles of the mind will be gone. Sambandar, a Shaivite saint from Tamil Nadu who lived around the 7th century, is recorded in the Tevaram, a collection of devotional poetry dedicated to Shiva, as saying of the god: While the circular composition represents the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth, Shiva himself offers transcendence. One of his feet is pressed firmly on the demon of ignorance, while the other is raised in a sign offering refuge and grace. The gestures of his lower hands offer reassurance and blessing. His hair is the Ganges, mother of rivers, within which is Shiva’s emblem, the crescent moon. His upper hands hold the flame that symbolizes the dissolution of creation, and the drum that beats out the rhythm of the universe. Shiva is surrounded by flames, symbolizing his energy and vitality, as well as his destructive force. The DMA’s the Shiva Nataraja- Lord of the Dance-is an example of this type of bronze image. During this era, bronze images of major deities were produced for temple worship and ritual procession. Kings and queens of the Chola dynasty (9th - 13th centuries) patronized the construction of great temples, with a special emphasis on Shiva and his circle. Shiva was especially predominant in south India. Sometimes he is shown in sensuous, loving rapport with his wife Parvati and their children.
Yet he is also an ancient god of fertility. He is a supreme yogi, an ascetic of great powers, with wild hair and an ash-smeared body, who transcends ordinary reality. The god of death and rebirth, Shiva is sometimes imagined in his terrible aspect, as Lord of Destruction, who meditates among the ashes of corpses on a cremation ground. They also chant Om Namah Shivaya, which means: I bow to you O Supreme Lord, the one who exists in my consciousness.In India from at least the 5th century onward, the major Hindu gods were Vishnu and Shiva. This time, however, given the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Uttarakhand government called off the Yatra.ĭuring this month, upon their visits to the temple, the worshippers chant the Maha Mrutyunjay mantra to please Lord Shiva. They also take a holy dip in the river Ganga there. Kanwar Yatra (pilgrimage) to Haridwar also takes place during this period, which the devotees carry out every year. While most devotees fast on the Mondays, several also fast throughout the month. Worshippers chant prayers including Maha Mrutyunjay mantra and Om Namah Shivaya. Third Shravan Somwar Vrat: August 9, 2021, Mondayįourth Shravan Somwar Vrat: August 16, 2021, Mondayĭuring this month devotees usually bathe, visit the temple, perform puja and so on, but this year on account of the coronavirus pandemic it is best to stay indoors and observe the festival by doing puja at home and offering water, milk, flowers, bel patra on the Shivling and reciting the vrat katha from the safety of one's home. Second Shravan Somwar Vrat: August 2, 2021, Monday This year, the month of Sawan starts from Sunday, 25 July 2021 and will end on Sunday, August 22, 2021.įirst Shravan Somwar Vrat: July 26, 2021, Monday Devotees fast during this period, and some even go on to fast from the first Monday to the coming fifteen weeks, and this is known as Solah Somwar Vrat. The Mondays (Somwars) of this month are called Shravan Somwar or Sawan Somwar and have special significance.
This year Sawan started on Sunday, July 25. It is believed that those who dutifully worship Lord Shiva during this month are bestowed with success, happiness and prosperity. This month is devoted to worshipping Lord Shiva. Sawan or Shravana is the fifth month of the Hindu solar calendar.