Hindu Thanksgiving
Festivals and fairs mark the month of Shravan, starting from July 23 in most places in northern and western India. Its association with Lord Shiva is well-known but there seems to be no conclusive reason as to why this may be so.
The only consensus on this link has to do with the legend of the churning of the ocean for nectar by the gods and the demons, the swallowing of the halahal poison by Shiva, the pouring of cooling waters on Shiva by the gods to help ease the heat of the toxin and his acquisition of the name “Neelkanth” or blue-throated one — all of which apparently happened during this particular month.
The tales are steeped in mystery and shrouded in antiquity but, even today, devotees fast and pray to the three-eyed god in pursuit of material and spiritual boons. Especially sacred is the act of placing bel-patras atop Shivlings during this month, for the bel or bilva (Aegle marmelos) leaves are considered purificatory and sin-destroying.
The festival calendar is abuzz in the month of Shravan with minor and major festivals dedicated to the many deities that constitute the colourful Hindu pantheon. Shravan is a rainy month, when flowers, fruits and vegetables are available aplenty, hence it is also customary to offer the bounties of nature in symbolic thanksgiving to the Divine.
Kanwarias, those highly motivated devotees who carry the waters of the holy Ganga from various towns on her banks, back to their homes to pour on the Shivlings there, are a common sight on the roads of northern India. Integrating the waters as it were and affirming the supremacy of the Ganga in the hierarchy of rivers, this interesting tradition is kept alive in the Shravan month through the fervour and energy of these walkathon pilgrims who chant Shiva’s name with every confident stride as part of their kaavad-yatra. Opulent temples have been raised for Shiva and elaborate ceremonies are performed to propitiate him. But Shiva is easily accessible and quickly pleased. In his celebrated hymn, Shiva manasa pooja, the saint-philosopher Adi Shankara sings of an imaginary (kalpitam) offering of a gem-encrusted throne, icy Himalayan bath-water, scented liquids, flowers, fruits, robes, ornaments and royal honours for the Lord — all in the depths of the devotee’s own mind.
Evoking the spirit of surrender to the Divine during this month of prayer, Adi Shankara’s timeless words seem to have been written keeping the busy man on the move:
“Wherever I walk, I walk around you, O Lord, in circumambulation. Every word I utter is a prayer unto you and every act I perform is one of devotion to you.”
Post new comment