Shravana: The Sacred Month of Shiva, Devotion, and Auspicious Renewal

The month of Shravana (also known as Sawan in North India) is one of the most spiritually potent and beloved times in the Vedic calendar. Falling typically between July and August, this lunar month is steeped in devotion, fasting, rituals, and celestial alignments. It is especially sacred to Lord Shiva, the cosmic yogi, and offers a profound opportunity to purify the mind, elevate the soul, and align with divine rhythms.

🌿 Why is Shravana So Special?

The name "Shravana" comes from the Shravana Nakshatra (lunar constellation) which predominates during the full moon of this month. It is also the time when the Sun moves through Cancer and the Moon through Shravana Nakshatra, enhancing the power of listening (shravanam), receiving divine guidance, and surrendering to inner truth.

This month is beloved by Lord Shiva, and every Monday (Somvar) is a divine doorway to connect with his energy. According to scriptures and legends, Shravana Somvars are so auspicious that even a single offering made with sincerity can dissolve lifetimes of karma.

🕉 The Power of Shravana Somvar (Sacred Mondays)

In Shravana, each Monday becomes a mini Mahashivratri—a powerful time to:

🥥 Offer water, milk, honey, and bilva leaves to the Shiva Linga
🧘‍♂️ Meditate, chant “Om Namah Shivaya” or the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
🥣 Fast from sunrise to sunset or with a light sattvic meal
💫 Seek blessings for marriage, spiritual awakening, and health

Devotees believe that praying on these Mondays brings liberation (moksha), protection, and inner peace.

📜 Major Festivals and Vrats in the Month of Shravana

Shravana is overflowing with festivals, each offering unique vibrations of bhakti (devotion), dharma (duty), and shakti (energy). Below are the major ones:

1. Hariyali Teej 🌿

Celebrated in North India, especially by women
Symbolizes love, fertility, and reunion of Shiva & Parvati
Women wear green, fast for their husbands’ longevity, and sing devotional songs

2. Naag Panchami 🐍

A day to honor the serpent deities (Nagas), guardians of the underworld
Milk and offerings are made to snake idols or actual snake pits
Symbolizes protection from poisons—physical and psychic

3. Shravana Somvar Vrat 🕉

A weekly fast observed each Monday for blessings of Lord Shiva
Especially significant for unmarried women seeking a noble partner
Offers deep purification and strengthens spiritual willpower

4. Putrada Ekadashi 🙏

“Ekadashi” falling in Shravana Shukla Paksha
Devotees fast and worship Lord Vishnu for progeny, dharma, and forgiveness
“Putrada” means “giver of sons,” but the energy supports all forms of creativity and blessings

5. Varalakshmi Vratam 💰

Worship of Goddess Lakshmi in her benevolent form of Varalakshmi (“boon-giver”)
Observed by women for family harmony, wealth, and health
Performed on the Friday before the full moon (Purnima) in Shravana

6. Rakhi / Raksha Bandhan 👫

A celebration of sibling love and protection
Sisters tie sacred threads on their brothers' wrists; brothers vow to protect them
Symbolizes the sacred bond of dharma and support between siblings

7. Shravana Purnima (Full Moon) 🌕

A highly auspicious full moon day
Upakarma (sacred thread changing) is done by Brahmins
Also marks the celebration of Rakhi and Hayagriva Jayanti (the avatar of wisdom)

8. Hayagriva Jayanti 📖

Marks the birth of Lord Hayagriva, the horse-headed incarnation of Vishnu
Symbol of divine wisdom and Vedic knowledge
Ideal day for initiating studies or spiritual education

9. Krishna Janmashtami 🍼

In some years, Janmashtami (birth of Lord Krishna) falls at the tail-end of Shravana
Celebrated with fasting, night vigils, devotional songs, and enactments of Krishna’s life
Symbolizes the birth of divine love and joy within the human soul

🕯 How to Honor the Month of Shravana

🌿 Start your day with a cold shower and mantra chanting
🥛 Offer abhishekam to a Shiva Linga with water, milk, and honey
🧘‍♀️ Meditate daily, especially on Mondays
📿 Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” or the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra 108 times
📜 Read Shiva Purana or listen to Shiva stories
🪔 Perform light fasting or eat only sattvic foods
💬 Practice silence, introspection, and service

💫 A Month of Surrender and Awakening

Shravana is not just a calendar month—it is a state of consciousness. It invites us to:

Slow down
Listen deeply
Surrender ego
Reconnect with Source

With Lord Shiva as our inner guide, the energy of Shravana can help us burn away karmas, heal ancestral wounds, and walk with greater spiritual grace.

Let this sacred month awaken your inner Shiva—the witness, the yogi, the dissolver of illusion.
✨
Om Namah Shivaya 🔱
Om Shravana Mangalamastu 🕉️

Meet Prakash Chegu

Name: Prakash Chegu

Background: Prakash Chegu is a highly experienced Kundalini Yoga teacher with over four decades of dedicated practice and two decades of teaching in the field. Born and raised in a deeply spiritual family in a small town in Southern India, the spiritual practice at the core of the life-style is ingrained in all aspects of life. Prakash's journey into Kundalini Yoga began at a very young age. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in yogic practices viz., Kriyas, Mantras, and Meditation, he developed a profound connection with the ancient practice.

Education and Training: Prakash pursued a rigorous and traditional education in yoga, alongside a strong engineering and technology, that nurtured his insatiable curiosity into everything life has to offer including Yogic Philosophy from the ancient scriptures, Vedas, and Upanishads. He further honed his skills by studying under renowned Kundalini Yoga masters across the world and undertaking advanced training in Kundalini Yoga therapy, meditation, and an ancient yogic healing modality called Sat Nam Rasayan.

Teaching Style: Prakash's teaching style is deeply rooted in authenticity and spirituality. He believes in the transformative power of Kundalini Yoga and seeks to share its immense benefits with his students. His classes are dynamic, inspiring as well as harmonious, and a blend of traditional techniques and modern understanding, making the practice accessible to people from all walks of life.

Prakash is known for his:

Compassion: He creates a nurturing and inclusive environment where students feel supported in their personal journeys. Prakash understands that everyone's path is unique and offers individualized guidance to help students reach their full potential.
Expertise: With his extensive knowledge of life-time of learning including Kundalini Yoga, Prakash can guide students through even the most complex kriyas and meditations. His in-depth understanding of the bodies, Ayurveda, chakras, and Vedic astrology allows him to facilitate profound experiences of awakening and self-realization.
Holistic Approach: Prakash emphasizes the integration of mind, body, and spirit in his teachings. He incorporates pranayama, mantra chanting, and meditation to help his students achieve a state of balance and harmony.
Innovation: While deeply rooted in tradition, Prakash is open to weaving modern techniques and scientific insights related to yoga and energy work. He continually deepens his teaching methods by integrating scientific research that keeps increasingly validating ancient technologies to provide his students with a well-rounded and relevant experience.

Value Generation: Prakash Chegu is not just a yoga teacher; He's a spiritual alchemist, a guide who empowers his students to unlock their full potential. His immense domain experience and deep spiritual connection allow him to:

Help individuals release physical and emotional blockages, enabling them to experience greater vitality and emotional well-being.
Assist students in tapping into their inner wisdom and intuition, fostering personal growth and self-awareness.
Guide individuals on a journey of self-discovery, helping them connect with their purpose and passion.
Foster a sense of community and support among her students, creating a network of like-minded individuals dedicated to personal growth and spiritual evolution.

Additionally, Prakash Chegu is a successful entrepreneur, and Engineer from a reputed university that brings depth and adequate practical knowledge of Yogic Philosophy in technology and life in general.

Prakash Chegu's classes are sought after by those who seek not only physical health but also spiritual transformation. His dedication to Kundalini Yoga and his ability to generate immense value in the lives of the students make him a respected figure in the world of yoga and holistic wellness.